Dengue fever cases down 64 percent in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY – Dengue fever cases in Central Visayas dropped significantly in the first five months of the year, the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

From January 1 to June 2, 2018, a total of 2,320 dengue fever cases and 19 deaths were reported and recorded by the region’s disease reporting units (DRUs), said Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato, DOH-7 dengue health program coordinator.

The number of cases this year represents a 64 percent decline from dengue fever cases in the first foive months of 2017, which reached 6,373 and 66 deaths.

Majority of the cases were recorded in Cebu City (22.4 percent), followed by LapuLapu City (10.3 percent), Mandaue City (7.2 percent) , Minglanilla town (3.1 percent) and Dumaguete City (2.6 percent).

Buscato said 52.4 percent of the victims are males, and 47.6 percent are females.

Buscato said commonly affected by dengue are those in the 6-10 and 21-andabove age groups.

The significant decrease is attributed to the four 4’oclock habit and the 4s strategies.

"We have enhanced our vector surveillance and continued the four (4) o'clock habit and 4S strategy," said Buscato.

The four o'clock habit is a strategy that mobilizes communities to take time out to search and destroy the breeding places of mosquitoes at 4 p.m. everyday.

The 4S strategy in dengue prevention stands for Search and destroy the possible breeding place of Aedes aegypti, Seek early consultation, Selfprotective measures and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.(with a report from CNU Intern Sharon Rose Flores)