Dengue cases up in Ifugao; drive on against the disease

By Marcelo B. Lihgawon

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The Provincial Health Office has intensified its campaign   against dengue with alarming increase of the dreaded disease in the province.

In a radio interview, Dr. Priscilla Pagada of the PHO disclosed that their office in coordination with other local authorities and health care givers started some interventions to halt the increasing cases of dengue in the 11 municipalities of the province.

Since July 24, the PHO recorded a total of 328 dengue cases  provincewide  with the town  Tinoc having the highest with 88 cases followed by Lagawe – 59; Banaue – 42; Kiangan – 30; Hingyon – 27; Aguinaldo – 23; Asipulo – 22; Lamut – 18; Hungduan – 16;  and Alfonso Lista – 3. Only Mayoyao has no case.

Pagada said they have conducted fogging in Tinoc to eliminate mosquito breeding places.  

She added they are constantly reminding the practice of search and destroy strategy through the “4’clock habit to eliminate breeding places of mosquitoes.

She said the best preventive measure is the destruction of the breeding places of mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus by having clean surroundings, covering water containers that might serve as the breeding places of the mosquitoes, observing a healthful lifestyle and eating the proper nutritious foods.

“We will continuously conduct surveillance of dengue suspect cases to determine if there’s an outbreak, she said. 

 Meanwhile, Yvon Indunan also of PHO, advised the public to consult a doctor for early detection and management of the disease if ever they experience flu-like symptoms manifesting dengue such as severe headache, muscle and joint pains, extreme fatigue, red rashes and vomiting.