Dengue cases up in Baguio; Health officials alarmed

By Andrew Doga-ong

BAGUIO CITY – With the alarming increase of dengue cases in this city, health officials urged collaborative efforts from all sectors to address the dreaded disease.

OIC City Health Officer Dr. Sorayda Clavio, in a meeting with the “healthy environment cluster,” said public-private partnership must be strengthened in the fight against the mosquito-borne disease.

Admitting that the health or government sector cannot do it alone, she said private sector partners play a crucial role as they can  initiate measures to help control or prevent the rise of dengue cases in their respective areas. 

Dr. Donnabel Tubera, head of the city epidemiology and surveillance unit, said Baguio recorded a four-fold increase of 947 dengue cases from January to July 2, 2016 compared to the 181 cases in the same period in 2015.

She said that those infected with dengue were mostly aged 20 to 29 years old who are the students and in the working group.

Calling for concerted efforts to combat the dengue disease, Tubera said private sector partners, barangay officials and the residents must cooperate to seriously to implement dengue control and prevention measures.

Health officials urged residents to clean their surroundings, practice proper waste management and to eliminate or destroy the breeding places of dengue-causing mosquitoes.

Tubera said every household must clean their surroundings regularly including vacant lots as dirty areas are breeding sites of  mosquitoes.

She bared they are finalizing a program on collection of old tires in efforts to eliminate one of the favorite breeding sites of the day-biting dengue mosquitoes.

Health officials said there should also be a behavioral change on the part of some City residents who  despite the intensive campaign against the dengue disease, still refuse to do the advised Dengue prevention and control measures.

Meanwhile, health officials also ask their public and private partners to support the proposed “Anti-Dengue Ordinance of the City of Baguio” as one measure to mitigate the increasing dengue cases in the city.