DOH pushes anti-dengue program with rainy days

Deadly disease too

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY --The Department of Health urged the public to practice health and safety measures against dengue with the onset of the rainy season.

                DOH – Cordillera Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan has signed a memorandum circular for all local government units, local health offices and chief of hospitals/medical facilities in the region for the enhanced 4-S strategy and strengthened advocacy campaign against dengue in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

                Pangilinan said as the country is focused on addressing the threat and impact of COVID – 19, the health sector and the public must not forget or neglect the other deadly diseases like Dengue, now a year- round health concern which tends to peak during the rainy months.

“As the public is already practicing health and safety precautions against COVID – 19, let us also include the implementation of an enhanced – 4S strategy in our communities, “Pangilinan said.

                DOH – CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit data shows that from January 1 to May 16 of this year, there are already 536 cases recorded in the region including two deaths, a 15 years old female and a nine years old male from Baguio City.

Per demographics, Benguet has the most cases with 200, followed by Kalinga with 80, Apayao with 68, Baguio City with 55, Abra with 34, Ifugao with 32 and Mountain Province with 23.

There are also 46 non – CAR residents recorded as they are treated in Cordillera health facilities.

Pangilinan stressed that with most of the citizens staying at home due to the community quarantine, it is a good time to encourage households to religiously clean-up their surroundings, search and destroy mosquito breeding sites.

DOH 4S strategy against dengue  are  Search and Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites; Self Protection measures (such as wearing of long pants/long sleeve dress and use of safe mosquito repellants); seek early consultation; and Support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.

LGUs were also advised to promote the DOH’s ABKD advocacy or the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)