DOH-7 calls for LGUs to sustain cleanup drive

CEBU, Philippines - The dengue fever outbreak in several provinces of Luzon has prompted the Department of Health Central Office to strongly reiterate calls for local governments and barangays to sustain clean-up campaigns to prevent dengue.

Regional Director Susana Madarieta warned against complacency in the fight against dengue giving emphasis on the need to continue community actions to remove possible areas where dengue-carrying mosquitoes can breed.

Madarieta said they are implementing an anti-dengue campaign called “4-S” which represents the four steps to take against dengue to include the following:

“To search and destroy, to seek early treatment, to implement self-protective measures and to say no to fogging,” Madarieta explains.

With “search and destroy,” parents are encouraged to check their surroundings and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes.

The “seek early treatment” step urges parents to immediately see the doctor if their children show early signs of the disease.

“Self-protective measures” include bringing mosquito repellant at all times.

Madarieta also reminded those conducting fogging operations that chemicals should be used responsibly because they are harmful to one’s health.

DOH Center for Health Development-Central Visayas health promotions assistant-designate Jesson Morata said no one is immune from dengue, not even adults and those who have already been afflicted before.

 “Nagtuo ra ba gyud ang uban nga kung nagka-dengue na sila, dili na sila mabalikan pa. Dili ra ba gyud na tinuod. Wala ra ba’y gipili ang dengue kay bisan kinsa mamahimong mabiktima sa dengue,” Morata said.

Morata advised the public that cleanliness is still one of the best ways for dengue prevention as well as the advice of parents for their children to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

In Central Visayas, a total of 2,881 cases with 19 deaths were reported from different disease reporting units (DRUs) from January 1 to August 20, 2011.

Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Symptoms appear 3—14 days after the infective bite. Dengue fever is a febrile illness affecting infants, young children and adults.

Symptoms range from a mild to incapacitating high fever with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue. It is important to maintain hydration. Use of acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. aspirin) and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Ibuprofen) is not recommended.  (FREEMAN)