ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) highlighted the significance of proactive measures in communities to curb the spread of Dengue in the region.
This as the Filipino nation observes Dengue Awareness Month this June with the theme “Stop the Spread, Sama-sama nating Sugpuin ang Dengue” and with the increasing number of Dengue cases in the region in recent weeks.
With this, the health department in the region reiterated the practice of the 4S strategy against Dengue, noting this as a “straightforward yet effective approach to the prevention and spread of the Dengue mosquito.”
“Makita man naton on the previous data during the previous years, especially kon nagapasulod na kita sa rainy season, nagasaka man gid ang aton nga kaso sang Dengue. Subong nga nagapasulod na kita sa rainy, the more nga naga-advocate kita for our 4S strategy, especially sa aton nga kabarangayan,” said Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, Regional Aedes-Vector borne Diseases Prevention and Control Program medical coordinator of DOH WV CHD.
(As we can see in the previous data during the previous years, especially if we are approaching the rainy season, there was an increase in Dengue cases. Now that we are entering the rainy season, the more we need to advocate the 4S strategy, especially in our local communities.)
Based on the report of the DOH WV CHD’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), as of June 15, 2024, there are a total of 3,670 Dengue cases in the region with nine deaths. This number is 21 percent higher than the 3,021 cases reported in a similar period last year.
The province of Iloilo noted the highest number of cases with 1,194 with four deaths, followed by Negros Occidental with 580 cases with three deaths, Aklan – 577 with one death, Capiz – 472 with one death, Antique – 272, Iloilo City – 226, Guimaras – 190, and Bacolod City with 159 cases.
According to the CHD’s report, the 4S strategy is “one way of preventing the population of Dengue-carrying mosquitoes and safeguarding oneself from being exposed to these vectors.”
This strategy uses the practical approach to reduce, if not to completely eradicate, mosquito breeding sites and minimize the risk of the transmission of the disease.
The first S is “search and destroy” which enjoins the public to regularly inspect and eliminate any stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed including flower pots and vases, containers, gutters, and tires, among others.
The second S is “self-protection measures” which focuses on the use of mosquito repellent, wearing of long-sleeved clothing, and installing of window screens to reduce exposure to mosquito bites.
To note, the Aedes mosquito is usually active between 6:00 to 8:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon to 8:00 in the evening.
Meanwhile, the third S refers to “seek early consultation” for those experiencing symptoms of Dengue fever like high fever that usually lasts two to seven days, severe headache, and joint and muscle pains.
DOH WV CHD emphasized the importance of seeking immediate and proper medical attention for early diagnosis and treatment.
“Ang bulk sang aton nga mga Dengue cases ara sa aton school-aged children aged 1-10 years old and teenagers aged 11-20 years old. Sa aton nga mga parents, especially kon sa areas ninyo may ara na kaso sang Dengue, makita man naton sa review sang aton mga deaths ang common cause amo ang delay sa pagpa-consult sang aton nga kabataan,” Natalaray stressed.
The final S is “support fogging and spraying” by cooperating with the local health authorities and the barangay officials in such activities to control the mosquito population in the community.
Aside from the 4S strategy, Natalaray also sought the support of other government agencies, local government units, and communities, particularly the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on tapping areas with clustering of cases to activate their “Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue” and the Department of Education (DepEd) on preparing the schools in time with the opening of the school year.
As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people, it is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female mosquito, primarily the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. (AAL/FRG/PIA6)
