ANTIQUE – Clustering of dengue cases was observed in 23 barangays.
As of the May 21 data from the Antique Provincial Health Office, the clustering – three or more cases within four consecutive weeks – were in villages of the following towns:
* San Jose – Maybato-Norte (10), Funda Dalipe (seven), San Fernando (six), Atabay (five), Cansadan (four), Badiang (three), Brgy. 4 (three), Brgy. 5 (three), and San Angel (three)
* Sibalom – District III (six), District IV (three), Esperanza I (three), and Sido (three)
* Bugasong – Centro Pojo (four), Igbalangao (four), and Cubay South (three)
* Hamtic – Poblacion 4 (10) and Poblacion 5 (three)
* Anini-y – San Francisco (four)
* Laua-an – Guisijan (four) and Mag-aba (four)
Dengue is caused by day-biting mosquitoes and breed in clear, stagnant water. It is manageable but can be fatal.
From Jan. 1 to May 21, the province recorded 521 dengue cases with three deaths in Sibalom (128 cases with one death), San Jose (123 cases), Hamtic (65 cases with one death), Bugasong (58 cases with one death), Anini-y (38 cases), San Remigio (25 cases), Patnongon (16 cases), Tobias Fornier (11 cases), Tibiao (10 cases), Barbaza (10 cases), Laua-an (10 cases), Sebaste (nine cases), Valderrama (nine cases), Belison (six cses), Pandan (two cases), and Culasi (one case).
No dengue cases were reported in Libertad and Caluya towns.
“Bag-o pa man mag-umpisa magsaka ang kaso, ang Antique Provincial Health Office – Public Health Program Unit nagatugro na ka nagakaigo nga aksyon sa mga barangay,” a statement from the Antique Provincial Health Office read.
At the beginning of this year, the APHO prepared information, education and communication materials on dengue and distributed these to hospitals and rural health units.
It also did ocular and case investigations in barangays.
“Indi magkampante. Sa kadya nga panahon nga sige pa ang pagsaka kang kaso, palihog mag-uligmat kag obrahon ang mga bagay nga nagakadapat. I-practice ang 4S Strategy,” according to the APHO.
The 4S strategy against dengue are: “search and destroy” mosquito breeding places; “self-protection” from mosquito bites; “seek early consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur; and “say yes to fogging” as a last resort./PN
