DoH-12 heightens campaign vs dengue

MIDSAYAP, Cotabato: The Department of Health’s Center for Health Development (DoHCHD) IN SOCCSKSARGEN HAS INTENSIfiED ITS CAMPAIGN TO fiGHT DENGUE AFTER THE REGIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SURVEILLANCE UNIT (RESU) RECORDED 854 DENGUE CASES FROM JANUARY 1 to April 30, 2022.

“Based on DoH epidemic data, there is a three-year cycle for dengue outbreak, and this 2022, it’s year of dengue outbreak,” Arjohn Gangoso, health education and promotion officer 3 of DoH-CHD, said.

“As part of our response, we are focusing on the dengue surveillance and response program this year to prevent the outbreak from happening.”

Gangoso said that out of the total cases, 296 are recorded in Sarangani province, 201 in South Cotabato, 179 in Cotabato province, 123 in General Santos City and 55 in Sultan Kudarat.

The RESU also reported 12 fatalities due to dengue, most of which are in General Santos City.

“Most of the affected age group is zero to 10 years old which is 45 percent or 381 cases. On the other hand, the median age affected by dengue is 13 years old, while the majority of the cases are male with 52 percent,” Gangoso said.

He also stressed that the most effective way to prevent dengue is to practice the enhanced 4S strategy: Search and destroy breeding sites, Seek early consultation, Self-protection and Say “yes” to fogging.

Gangoso also explained that fogging operations are only advisable in areas with threats for an outbreak.

He added that despite the 56 percent decrease of cases for the same period last year, the DoH-CHD is strengthening its information campaign to prevent another outbreak amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of North Cotabato appealed for the cooperation of the public in fighting dengue.

IPHO head Dr. Eva Rabaya said that preventing the rise of dengue is not only a sole responsibility of the office but the entire community.

Rabaya reminded the public to maintain cleanliness in the environment and destroy all possible breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes such as stagnant waters.

She also said that it is crucial to strengthen the campaign against dengue at the village level where responses towards the disease can be immediate.

In Kidapawan City, Mayor Joseph Evangelista called for all sectors in the city to unite in fighting dengue.

The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) recorded 206 dengue cases from January 1 to May 13, 2022 compared to only 18 cases recorded in the same period last year.

Five villages in the city reported the largest number of cases in Poblacion (54), Sudapin (26), Balindog (17), Amas (15) and Lanao (15) while other villages recorded one or two cases each.

In a health cluster meeting last Monday, Evangelista said every sector must cooperate in clearing every corner of the city to prevent the spread of the disease.

City health officer Dr. Joyce Encienzo said the dengue disease makes no distinction as to who would infect.

Encienzo emphasized that based on the latest CESU dengue bulletin, every age from 0 to 90 years old were affected by the disease and the median age in the city is within the age bracket of 0 to 10 years old.

Evangelista ordered the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to continue fogging activities in highly affected areas.

The CDRRMO has already conducted fogging operations in 75 public high schools and elementary schools in the city.

Evangelista said that the City Government of Kidapawan will allocate funds for the financial assistance package provided for anyone admitted in a hospital due to dengue, on top of free testing for dengue patients.

He called for any resident who is already experiencing symptoms such as fever, body pain and skin rashes to immediately consult a doctor.

The City Health Office will also intensify its information, education, and communication campaign in villages to educate the public on the proper steps and procedures in preventing a dengue outbreak.

Evangelista also said village officials in the city have already conducted an intensified cleanup drive in various communities.