LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) – To help prevent the spread of dengue among students, the provincial government has suspended the wearing of school uniforms, and at the same time encouraged them to put additional protection.
Gov. Melchor Diclas issued an advisory on August 5, 2024, temporarily suspending the wearing of uniforms in the schools amid increasing dengue cases in the province.
“Relative to the increase of dengue and to further protect the younger ones, temporary wearing of uniform is advised to all students from elementary and high school until further notice. Instead, they are encouraged to wear long sleeves and pants in schools until the dengue cases are controlled,” Diclas stated.
He said that school children are among the most vulnerable of the mosquito bites.
Aside from the suspension of the use of uniforms, the Governor also encouraged school personnel and students to conduct regular clean-up activities within and outside the school premises to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and maintain clean school premises.
The Benguet Provincial Health Office reported that as of August 3, 2024, a total of 3,989 dengue cases have been recorded in the province. There were 600 new cases recorded from July 28 to August 3.
Five dengue related fatalities were also recorded with two from the municipality of La Trinidad, and one each from Tublay, Bokod and Tuba. Four of the deaths were recorded in July.
Data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit show that the municipality of La Trinidad has the highest cases with 1,009, followed by the municipality of Kabayan with 708.
Kibungan has the least recorded cases with 45, while Bakun and Atok logged 57 and 72 cases, respectively. The rest of the municipalities have more than a hundred cases each.
In a recent report of the DOH-CAR, most affected are those belonging to the 11 to 20 years old group.
Meanwhile, health and local officials of Benguet continue to encourage residents to practice the 5S Strategy to prevent the spread of the dengue disease: Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, Support fogging for impending outbreaks and Sustain hydration. (RMC-PIA CAR)
