DOH warns vs dengue outbreaks

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday appealed to the public to be vigilant to avoid contracting the mosquito-borne disease dengue.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the start of the rainy season might lead to a surge in dengue cases.

“We should not let this happen as we are still confronted with the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.  We should all be vigilant,” Vergeire said in a press briefing.

Based on the latest dengue surveillance report of the DOH. A tota of 50,169 cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to May 30. The figure is 46 percent lower than the 92,808 cases recorded during the same period last year.

The death toll due to dengue so far this year is 173 compared to 452 last year.

Data shows most of the cases were from Central Visayas and Central Luzon with 8,807 and 7,011, respectively.

DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau director Napoleon Arevalo urged the public to observe the so-called 4S Strategy to prevent the spread of the disease.

4-S stands for search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites; employ self-protection measures, such as wearing of long pants and long sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellent; seek early consultation, and support fogging and spraying only in hotspot areas.

Arevalo said the public should also adhere to the 4 o’clock habit, which encourages communities to do massive cleanup of their houses and neighborhood at 4 p.m. everyday.

“The general community quarantine is a good opportunity for everyone to clean their homes inside and out,” he said.