ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas is stepping up its campaign to promote the 5S strategy, an enhancement of the previously advocated 4S strategy, in response to the increasing dengue cases in the region.
From the start of the year until February 10, there have been 847 reported dengue cases, including one death, a decrease of 14 percent from the 982 cases documented in the same timeframe in 2023.
The areas with the highest number of new dengue cases are as follows:
* Aklan – 24 new cases for a total of 150
* Capiz – 14 new cases, bringing the total to 133
* Negros Occidental – 14 new cases, totaling 117
* Antique – 13 new cases, for a total of 95
A six-year-old boy from Miag-ao, Iloilo was the only reported dengue-related fatality.
Additional cases were reported in Bacolod City (23), Guimaras (seven), Iloilo City (90), and Iloilo province (195 cases, including one death).
Twenty-six barangays in the region have seen clusters of dengue cases, defined as three or more cases within a four-week period.
This year, DOH-6 has added a fifth S to the 4S strategy, promoting it as the 5S approach against dengue. The original 4S strategy includes searching and destroying mosquito breeding sites, self-protection measures such as wearing protective clothing and using mosquito repellent, seeking early treatment, and supporting fogging or spraying in hotspot areas.
The fifth S, “sustain hydration”, advises the public to continue drinking oral rehydration solutions as recommended by a physician.
In light of the anticipated rise in vector-borne diseases like dengue, typhoid, and leptospirosis due to the El Niño phenomenon, DOH-6 issued a reminder on March 1 about the importance of cleanliness. The Western Visayas Center for Health Development (WV CHD) has alerted the public to the potential health and environmental impacts of this weather event and the necessary preventative actions.
Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, causing severe flu-like symptoms and, in extreme cases, death.
Symptoms include a sudden high fever of 104 Fahrenheit degrees, severe headache, nausea or persistent vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes, and red spots or patches on the skin./PN
