By JORI MAE SAMILLANO
ALABEL, Sarangani – Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Sarangani continues to reinforce preventive measures against Dengue especially with the onset of the rainy season.
According to Dr. Arvin Alejandro, provincial health officer, the provincial government has already distributed some “2,000 sachets of larvicidal or non-insecticidal solution” intended for soaking mosquito nets. This will be used to control the population of Dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
As of the current morbidity week, Alejandro disclosed some “427 dengue cases and 3 deaths” that their office has recorded. However, he said this data is 25% lower compared to the same period last year with 557 cases.
One indication he noted is “the fact that no children are in schools. So, there is no high transmission also.”
Despite this, Alejandro continues to urge Sarangans to follow the Department of Health’s (DOH) “ABaKaDa campaign or the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue intervention” in their respective barangays to stir community action against Dengue.
This intervention includes community clean-up drives and search and destroy actions to possible mosquito breeding sites.
“Most commonly na nakikita natin sa mga inspections ay ‘yung mga bahay na nag-iimbak ng tubig at walang sara. Diyan po pumapasok ang mga mosquitoes at nangingitlog kaya nagkakaroon tayo ng Dengue cases,” Alejandro said.
According to the DOH, the rainy season which starts in the month of June will lead to a seasonal increase of Dengue cases in the Philippines due to the proliferation of mosquito breeding sites.
Hence, the National Dengue Awareness Month is also observed every June under Proclamation No. 1204, s. 1998 signed by former president Fidel V. Ramos to raise public awareness and practice preventive measures against the mosquito-borne viral disease.
The DOH also advised the public to immediately seek consultation and report to the nearest health center if an individual is experiencing symptoms like high fever, headache, vomiting blood or blood in stool, and pain behind the eyes.
With the Covid situation and the threat of Dengue, Dr. Alejandro reminded the public to remain vigilant.
“Put this in mind. Avoid touching MEN (Mouth, Eyes, Nose) instead, follow WOMEN (Washing hands, Obey social distancing, Mask up, Exercise and eat well, No unnecessary traveling),” Alejandro said.
In Sarangani, Dr. Alejandro said, they are performing tests on cases manifesting symptoms of either Covid or Dengue. “We do RT-PCR testing for Covid at the same time we also do rapid Dengue testing.” (Jori Mae Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
0 comments:
Post a Comment