ILOILO – June is National Dengue Awareness Month. The Provincial Health Office (PHO) is stepping up its campaign against dengue using the 4S strategy.
This strategy calls for the following:
* “search and destroy” mosquito breeding places
* “self-protection” from mosquito bites
* “seek early consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur
* “say yes to fogging” as a last resort
The PHO recorded 145 dengue cases with one death from Jan. 1 to June 5 – lower than last year’s 407 recorded within the same period and 2019’s 2,160 cases with 12 deaths.
Thirty-three out of 43 local government units (LGU) so far reported dengue cases. Ten with the highest dengue cases were Estancia (24 cases, one death); Carles (10 cases); Dingle (10 cases); Tigbauan (eight cases); Alimodian (eight cases); Miag-ao (seven cases); Oton (seven cases); Pavia (seven cases); Balasan (six cases); and Ajuy (five cases).
Other LGUs which reported dengue cases were the following: Badiangan (five), Batad (four), Calinog (four), Banate (four), Passi City (three), Dueñas (three), Janiuay (three), San Dionisio (three), Barotac Viejo (two), San Miguel (two), Santa Barbara (two), Sara (two), San Rafael (two), Barotac Nuevo (two), Leganes (two), Pototan (two), New Lucena (two), San Joaquin (one), Cabatuan (one), Lambunao (one), Concepcion (one), Leon (one), and Guimbal (one).
The dengue cases per age group are as follows:
* less than one year old – 19
* one to 10 years old – 61
* 11 to 20 years old – 29
* 21 to 30 years old – 22
* 31 to 40 years old – three
* 41 years old and above – 11
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, acting chief of the PHO, is calling on the public to not be complacent and always clean their surroundings.
“We should not be complacent. It’s the rainy season, a time when dengue cases surge,” Quiñon said.
She also warned of rising cases in 2022.
“Based on historical data, we experience a dengue epidemic every three years. So, the preparation must start now,” Quiñon said.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albpictus and Aedes aegypti) that live and breeds in clean, stagnant water.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea / vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness./PN
