The Department of Health-Cordillera is reminding the public to be cautious and to practice health and safety measures against dengue as the rainy season begins.
DOH OIC Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan issued a memorandum circular to all local government units, local health offices, and chief of hospitals/medical facilities in the region for the enhanced 4-S strategy and strengthened advocacy campaign against dengue.
Pangilinan said as the country is focused on addressing impacts of the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19), the health sector and the public must not let their guards down on other deadly diseases like dengue, which is now a year-round health concern and tends to peak during the rainy months.
“As the public is already practicing health and safety precautions against the Covid-19, let us also include the implementation of an enhanced 4S strategy in our communities,” Pangilinan said.
Data from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit show that from Jan. 1 to May 16, 536 cases of dengue were recorded in the region with two deaths, a 15-year-old female and a nine-year-old male from Baguio City.
Benguet has the most cases with 200, followed by Kalinga with 80, Apayao with 68, Baguio City with 55, Abra with 34, Ifugao with 32, and Mountain Province with 23.
There are also 46 non-Cordillera residents who were included in the regional report as they were treated in health facilities in the region.
Pangilinan said as most citizens are staying at home due to the community quarantine, they should also clean their surroundings regularly and search and destroy mosquito breeding sites.
The 4S strategy against dengue are search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, self protection measures (such as wearing of long pants/long sleeved clothes and use of safe mosquito repellants), seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.
LGUs are also advised to promote the DOH Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue. – Carlito Dar
