CHO intensified its dengue campaign following its rapid increase
The City Health Office (CHO) has intensified the campaign against dengue following its rapid increase which is 221% higher compared to the same period last year.
The undertaking includes the precautionary measures and management of dengue cases that highlighted the traditional 5S: Search and destroy breeding sites; Seek early consultation; Secure self-protection; Support indoor and outdoor spraying in high-risk areas only; and Sustain hydration.
In an interview at “Buwas-damlag sa Bagong Koronadal FB live program, Health Education Promotion Officer (HEPO) III Mylene Seliote believes that dengue can be combated by strictly imposing the first method because no mosquitoes mean zero dengue as well. “Kay lamok man gid ang aton kalaban, kung maguba naton ang ila gina-itlugan, for sure wala na sang lamok kay mapatay naman sila,” Seliote explained. However, she also emphasizes that the individual’s cooperation and collaboration are still significant in realizing such a situation.
The HEPO also encourages every household to set natural mosquito repellant inside the house to keep mosquitoes away, install screens on windows and door and use mosquito net to sleep at night.
Meanwhile, according to the submitted report of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), dengue cases accumulated to more than 900 from January to September this year. Most of the victims were males aged three (3) months to 50 years old.
Among the city’s 27 barangays, the five (5) barangays with the highest number of dengue cases include Sta. Cruz, General Paulino Santos, Topland, Zone III and Carpenter Hill. Seliote explained that though there are other barangays with increasing cases, Carpenter Hill is among those with high cases following the death of two (2) individuals.
During a recent press conference, City Health Officer Dr. Vincent Ende called the same action to the entire community of the city following the increasing dengue cases in Koronadal.