LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) – This capital town of Pangasinan is intensifying its efforts to combat a surging dengue outbreak, with the municipality now topping the Provincial Health Office’s (PHO) watchlist.
Dr. Heinrich Manuel, municipal health officer of Lingayen, said the town has recorded 331 dengue cases, prompting the local government to implement a range of preventive measures.
“Bilang tugon dito, nagsasagawa kami ng fogging at misting, lalo na sa mga paaralan. Marami kasi sa kanila ang humihiling nito, kaya pinupuntahan sila ng aming team kasama ang mga kinatawan ng ating sanitary office,” Manuel said.
(In response to this, we are conducting fogging and misting operations, especially in schools. Many of them have requested this, so our team, along with representatives from our sanitary office, is visiting these areas.)
In addition, Manuel said they are identifying high-risk barangays to conduct educational lectures on dengue prevention and management, including demonstrations on the proper use of fogging and misting.
“Umiikot din kami sa 32 na barangay para magsagawa ng consultation at mag-check-up sa mga pasyente, lalo na sa mga lugar na may mataas na kaso ng dengue, kung saan nangunguna ang Barangay Pangapisan North,” he said.
(We are also visiting 32 barangays to conduct consultations and check up on patients, especially in areas with high dengue case numbers, with barangay Pangapisan North being the most affected.)
Manuel urged all barangays to intensify cleanliness efforts, including cleaning drainage canals.
He said that maintaining a clean environment is crucial, stressing that fogging and misting would be ineffective without first conducting a clean-up drive.
Meanwhile, Manuel said the Department of Health provided a misting machine worth P100,000 and chemicals worth P200,000 for anti-dengue efforts in Lingayen.
Dengue test kits are also available and provided free of charge.
“Kung kinakailangang magpa-test, pumunta lamang sa Rural Health Unit at bibigyan kayo ng kaukulang test. Libre ito at walang bayad,” Manuel said.
(If a test is needed, simply go to the Rural Health Unit, and you will be provided with the necessary test. It is free of charge and no payment is required.)
Likewise, the Pangasinan PHO reiterated its call for the community to follow the enhanced 4S strategy in their daily routines, as dengue cases in the province have surged by 75 percent.
The 4S stands for: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; Self-protection measures by wearing long clothes and using insect repellent; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging and misting.
Eugenio Carlos Paragas, tuberculosis-dengue-malaria coordinator of Pangasinan PHO, said dengue cases in the province from January 1 to August 12, 2024, which recorded 2,199 cases and 14 fatalities, increased by 75 percent compared to 1,257 cases and 11 fatalities during the same period last year.
He said other towns under the Pangasinan PHO’s watchlist include Bayambang (275), San Carlos City (177), Urbiztondo (156), Bugallon (139), Bolinao (81), Binmaley (76), Basista (75), Labrador (67), and Mangatarem (65) due to the higher-than-normal incidence of dengue fever. (AMB/JCDR/AQA/PIA Pangasinan)
