Dengue up in Baguio, health execs alarmed

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY –  Health officials raised concern about the alarming rise in dengue cases here with the Baguio Health Department city epidemiology surveillance unit reporting a 120.83 percent increase cases from January to May 31.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan tasked  barangays here to take the lead in preventive measures through regular clean-up activities to search and destroy mosquito breeding places and continually educate their constituents on seeking early medical attention in case of affliction.

CESU head Dr. Donnabel Tubera said the city recorded a total of 106 cases from January to May 31 this year as against the 48 cases listed during the same period last year.

Statistics in the past four weeks showed a clustering of cases in Pinsao Pilot Project where three cases were reported.  

Two cases were reported in Bakakeng Central and one case each in barangays Bakakeng Norte, Camdas, Country Club Village, Dominican Mirador, Engineer’s Hill, Fairview Village, Gabriela Silang, Gibraltar, Guisad Surong, Happy Hollow, Irisan, Lucnab, Private Rd Magsaysay, New Lucban, Pacdal, Pinget, Upper Rock Quarry, Sto. Tomas Proper and Slaughterhouse Compound.

Tubera said the highest age group affected was between 10-19 years old with seven cases and 20-29 years old with six cases.  Fourteen of the patients were male and eight were female.
 

Tubera said the city health office conducted entomologic survey in selected barangays and distributed long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLIN) curtains in 12 elementary schools particularly Crystal Cave, Roxas, San Carlos, San Luis, Pacday Quinio, Magsaysay, Pinsao, Rizal, Dona Aurora, Aguinaldo, Baguio Central School and Dona Josefa.

On June 25, the health office will launch the “Mag 4 o’clock Habit, ArawAraw” campaign in Baguio Central School, as part of the celebration of the Dengue Awareness Month and ASEAN Dengue Day this month.

During the monthly Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) meeting with the mayor last Friday, Tubera apprised the barangay officials on the status of dengue cases and on the measures to be undertaken to prevent the occurrence of more afflictions.

            

The barangays have been designated as focal points of the “Search and Destroy Campaign” through the “Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue” (ABKD) anti-dengue drive of the Dept. of Health in cooperation with the Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

            

The said campaign is a part of DOH’s Integrated Vector Management (IVM), an evidence-based campaign to reduce mosquito density through community participation.

            

The city health office is continually advocating the “4S Strategy” in its anti-dengue campaign in the barangays.

            

The 4S stands for Search and Destroy which involves the clean-up of surroundings and removal of stagnant water that serves as breeding ground for the deadly mosquitoes; Seek Protective Garment which prescribes the use of long garments, mosquito nets along with the use of insect repellants to protect the body from mosquito bites; Secure Immediate Medical Consultation where persons with dengue fever symptoms are advised to seek medical attention; and the Say No to Indiscriminate Fumigation and Say Yes to Fumigation only in times of Outbreak.

            

Dengue fever is an infection caused by dengue virus which is transmitted by the bite of an infective female Aedes mosquito.

            

The signs and symptoms of dengue fever are: on-and-off fever lasting for two to seven days; loss of appetite; nausea/vomiting; abdominal pain; body weakness; small reddish spots on chest area, arms and legs; bleeding signs (nose and gum bleeding, vomiting blood, bloody stools and abdominal pain); restlessness; weak, rapid pulse; cold, clammy skin; and difficulty in breathing.

            

Persons that manifest these symptoms must remember the following:   High fever should be treated by sponging and giving paracetamol and not aspirin as it may cause bleeding and/or gastric irritation and must increase fluid intake or use oral rehydration solution.

            

Persons with second stage symptoms like flu-like symptoms, bleeding, abdominal pain must be brought to immediately to the nearest health center or hospital for treatment.