March 29, 2024

Residents of La Trinidad, Benguet are reminded to be wary of dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses as the municipality logged a total of 1,081 dengue cases.

The Municipal Health Services Office reported there is a 141.29 percent increase from last year’s 448 cases on the same period from Jan. to Aug. 20.

Pico barangay recorded the highest number of dengue cases with 211 followed by Balili with 148, Poblacion with 108, and Puguis with 88 while Alno logged the lowest case with 15.

The MHSO also reported the municipality logged five deaths due to dengue this year.

The barangays with most dengue case clustering for morbidity week 30 to 33 or from July 23 to Aug. 13 are Pico with 84, Balili with 43, Betag with 33, Poblacion with 28, Puguis with 26, Tawang with 24, and Beckel with 21 cases.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that causes a severe flu-like illness. It can progress into two life-threatening conditions: dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.

The MHSO said dengue warning signs include abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, edema, mucosal bleeding, and lack of energy.

Mayor Romeo Salda said the municipality has activated its teams in the different barangays to conduct anti-dengue measures.

Salda, who was also recently hospitalized due to dengue, reminded residents to take the necessary measures against the disease especially this rainy season.

He also reminded the residents about the conduct of the four o’clock habit to search and destroy possible mosquito-breeding places every 4 p.m.

The Department of Health is also advocating for the 4 S campaign, which stands for search and destroy mosquito breeding places, secure self protection from mosquito bite, seek early consultation when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and say yes to fogging as a last resort when there is an impending outbreak. – Ofelia C. Empian