CHD warns of rise in dengue cases

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Health Department has reminded everyone to keep its surroundings and community clean as dengue cases increase in the city making Central Visayas region in the top 3 with the most number of cases in the latest report.

CHD’s officer-in-charge, Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, said it is very important to keep the community clean, especially with some school children already having face-to-face classes.

Earlier, Ibones also instructed barangay health workers to go out of the health centers and go to the sitios to disseminate information against dengue and how to avoid it.

Ibones also expects a positive response from the community in the clean-up drive, search and destroy, and misting, among others.

A citywide clean-up drive is also being set with employees of the City Hall expected to show up and help.

Barangays where there are cases of dengue will be the top priority in the clean-up drive. These include Guadalupe, Lahug, Quiot, Punta Princesa, Tisa, and Mambaling, among others.

Along with this, Ibones also encouraged the wearing of shirts with sleeves and long pants to avoid getting bitten by mosquitos.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a recent increase in dengue cases observed starting at the end of March 2022.

But the increase is still lower than in the same period covered last year.

DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau (EB) record showed a six percent decrease of cases this year or 25,268 cases from 27,010 recorded in the same period last year.

However, from March 20 to April 30, also known as morbidity weeks 12 to 17, the reported 11,435 dengue cases was 94 percent higher than the cases reported during the same specific time period in 2021 (5,901).

From April 10 to May 7, 2022 there were 6,622 cases reported.

Central Visayas owns 13 percent of the total cases reported with 881 cases reported in the said period.

Region IX is slightly higher though with 908 cases and Region III at 9 percent with 593 cases.

To avoid the continuous increase in dengue cases, the DOH reminds the public of the need to practice the following 4S behaviors.

The four S include “Search” and destroy breeding places, “Secure” self-protection, “Seek” early consultation, and “Support” spraying in hotspot areas - especially as the country is experiencing the rainy season.

“As the rainy season approaches, many diseases spread - and one of those is dengue. We are taking proactive actions in preventing outbreaks and raising awareness to curb the increase in the number of cases. Rest assured that the DOH is closely monitoring every disease trend, and is well-prepared to respond to any healthcare aid any Juan or Juana may need,” said Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, undersecretary and official DOH spokesperson, in a statement yesterday. — GMR (FREEMAN)