LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – This 2024, the Laoag City Health Office (CHO) will prioritize on-ground activities at the barangay level to promote preventive measures against dengue.
According to Dr. Joseph Adaya, city health officer, they recorded a total of 273 cases of dengue infection in Laoag City last year.
Though this number is lower than in 2022, when 357 dengue cases were reported, Adaya said that the CHO is still considering the number as alarming and a health concern in the city.
To lessen dengue infections in the city, the CHO has activated a surveillance team tasked to coordinate with barangay officials and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) to conduct larvicidal tests in areas like canals, water storage areas, still waters, or any place where mosquitoes can breed.
Once an area is considered to be a mosquito breeding place, the city government will conduct fogging which will be followed by cleaning activities to eradicate mosquitoes.
The surveillance team will also conduct visits and check-ups to households to promote the 4-S strategy against dengue.
The 4-S campaign stands for Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites; Secure self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.
