KALIBO, Aklan – With dengue remaining a public health threat, the provincial government of Aklan urged local government units to take preemptive action.
Aklan had a sharp rise in dengue cases with 291 and two deaths from Jan. 1 to July 16, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6.
Dengue cases in Aklan increased by 939 percent from January to July 16. So far, the towns of Ibajay, Malay, Kalibo, and Nabas logged the highest number of dengue cases.
In his Executive Order No. 011, Aklan governor Jose Enrique Miraflores also directed government hospitals, provincial and municipal health offices, barangay health stations and their personnel to stay vigilant and extend assistance and services to all dengue patients.
Ahead of the traditional dengue peak season, Miraflores also enjoined the households, establishments and the general public to support the enhanced 4s strategy to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
He also called on the residents to do regular cleaning activities in the barangays including Saturdays and Sundays from 3 pm to 5 pm starting July 20 to August 20.
Dengue teams in the barangays in Aklan began to search and destroy the mosquito breeding sites to address the spike of cases.
Miraflores also urged local government units to establish hydration centers for suspected dengue cases and to mobilize resources for rural health units, as well as carry out surveillance and response system against dengue.
To sustain high level of awareness against dengue, the local government units are also asked to reactivate Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) Task Force, an interagency cooperation strategy to fight dengue outbreak./PN
