CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Department of Health Central (DOH) in Region 7 has recorded 6,968 dengue cases and 18 deaths in the region since January this year, marking a 95 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
This was disclosed by Dr. Ronald Buscato, medical officer IV of DOH-7 Communicable Diseases Section, during the Kapihan sa PIA program on June 19.
He noted that most cases involve school-age children, attributing this to factors such as body heat and carbon dioxide emissions which attract mosquitoes.
“Ang dengue nagpabilin nga peligro sa katilingban dili lang sa panahon sa ting-uwan apan sa tibuok tuig. Maong importante ang suporta sa katawhan sa mga advocacy program nato sa dengue,” said Buscato.
(Dengue remains a danger to the community not only during the rainy season but throughout the year. So, the support of the people for our dengue advocacy programs is important.)
4S Strategy
Buscato said DOH-7 continues to implement comprehensive measures including clean-up drives, dengue vector control, surveillance, community engagement, healthcare services, and research and innovation to effectively combat dengue.
The enhanced 4S strategy involves the following: Search and Destroy breeding sites, Self-protection measures such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellents, Seeking early consultation for fever lasting more than two days, and Supporting fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas with increased dengue cases.
Dengue is caused by a virus transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
“The Aedes aegypti prefers to stay indoors, while the Aedes albopictus prefers to stay outdoors. So, with the high heat index we had during the previous months, nag-stock ug tubig sa balde or planggana pero wa matabuni ug tarong so nahimo na siyang breeding ground,” explained Buscato.
(So, with the high heat index we had during the previous months, water was stored inside buckets or basins but was not properly covered, so it became a breeding ground for mosquitoes.)
He warned that the Aedes aegypti can breed anywhere, even inside bottle caps as long as there is water.
“Kaning Aedes aegypti nga lamok makabreed ni bisan sa cover sa mineral water nga na’ay tubig makaproduce na ni siya ug mga five larvae while ang Aedes albopictus sa natural containers ni siya like sa tanom. Mao importante jud ang search and destroy,” he said.
(The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can breed even inside a bottle cap that has water, producing up to five larvae, while the Aedes albopictus prefers natural containers like plants. This highlights the importance of the Search and Destroy approach.)
He added that DOH distributed NS1 rapid diagnostic tests to Rural Health Units and health offices in the region for testing people with fever lasting at least 24 hours.
“Common dengue symptoms are flu-like, including fever, severe headache, and body pain. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms worsen after five days, as dengue can lead to complications,” he advised.
Although he emphasized that misting or fogging should be the last resort, Buscato called for public support to misting or fogging among households within a 400-meter radius, as refusal of one household renders the effort ineffective.
“Suportahan nato ang fogging ug misting if within inyong balay sa 400-meter radius kay pananglitan lakip mo sa 100 houses ang ana-a sa 400-meter radius unya mobalibad mo. Useless ra magmisting ug 99 houses kay possible breeding site ang inyohang balay,” he said.
(Let’s support fogging and misting. For example, if your house is part of 100 houses within the 400-meter radius and you refuse, it becomes useless to mist 99 houses since your house could still be a possible breeding site.)
Buscato also urged the public to remain vigilant against dengue fever.
“Magmatngon jud ta sa atong mga kauban sa balay especially pananglit na’ay hilantan, paningkamotan nga wala’y lamok ang sulod ug gawas sa balay lakip na sa atong komunidad,” he added.
(We must remain vigilant, especially if a household member has a fever. We must ensure that there are no mosquito breeding sites inside or outside our homes and communities.) (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)
