BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The number of confirmed dengue cases in this metropolis has risen to 895, with four deaths reported.
In its latest bulletin, the City Health Office (CHO) reported 21 new dengue cases from various districts in Iloilo City with 25 active cases.
With the significant increase in dengue cases, the city government has emphasized the urgent need for intensified preventive measures and community cooperation to combat the spread of dengue.
City health officials have ramped up efforts to address the situation, including public health campaigns, knowing and seeking early consultation, and ensuring adequate medical care for those affected.
The city government is actively conducting a series of dialogues on dengue campaigns with barangays that have top cases of dengue.
City health officials emphasized that prevention and response measures and strategies should focus on regular and simultaneous cleanup to eliminate breeding places of mosquitoes starting from homes to the community.
Doctors also advised the public to get early medical checkups for two days when a fever occurs to get free tests for dengue at district health centers. Health officials also encourage using protective clothing and repellant for added self-protection.
The City Health Office has set up two hydration units at La Paz Health Center for the management of cases. CHO is also conducting misting operations in public schools, public places, and hotspots.
The 30-bed capacity hydration units are crucial in providing immediate care, particularly for those experiencing severe dehydration, a common complication of dengue fever.
These units will also operate 24 hours to ensure that patients receive timely and adequate fluid replacement therapy, which is vital in managing dengue.
These hydration units will be manned by doctors and nurses, who will offer care 24/7 to reduce dengue-related morbidity and mortality, especially during this peak dengue season.
City health officials have urged residents to take preventive measures, such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using insect repellent, and seeking early medical attention if symptoms appear.
City health officials have also been conducting awareness campaigns to educate residents on dengue prevention.
These campaigns emphasize the importance of the 4S strategy: search and destroy breeding sites, self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas.
The city government has asked residents to ramp up their efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, which are crucial in controlling the spread of dengue.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has surveyed top barangays with most cases to determine the needs and address the concerns, with the activation of the Public Address system to raise awareness at the grassroots.
Likewise, the City Department of the Interior and Local Government reiterated compliance with the cleanup of all 180 barangays and their corresponding postings on Facebook for the basis of reports.
Public Information Office has developed and distributed IEC materials, posted on FB, and sent out advisories to media for massive dissemination of activities, programs and services to prevent dengue and promote safety.
The initiatives are continuing collective effort and close collaboration with the barangays to instill shared responsibility in fighting dengue./PN
