Friday, February 15, 2008
Cebu City bracing for dengue epidemic
WORRIED that Cebu City might suffer from a engue fever epidemic, the City Government ill work closely with the Department of Health (DOH) to get the public to cooperate in fighting a “serial killer.”
DOH Assistant Secretary David Lozada and DOH 7 Regional Director Susanna Madarieta visited Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to discuss other ways to fight the dengue virus.
Osmeña said the officials wanted to make Cebu City one of the models in the campaign for its innovative anti-dengue measures.
The DOH specifically wanted other local government units (LGUs) to learn how the City Government was able to reduce the number of dengue cases in Barangay Labangon.
In 2007, Labangon topped the list of barangays with the highest number of dengue cases, with 80 cases and four deaths. It is no longer in the top 10 list as of this week.
“Labangon is out of the top 10. But I’m not convinced. Still, it’s a sign of hope. I told (DOH) that we’re trying out new things but it’s still too early to show results. We really have nothing to showcase this time,” the mayor said.
Osmeña also said he is worried that the increase in the number of dengue cases this year would be drastic, as shown by the number of cases so far.
From Jan. 1 to the second week of February alone, 262 dengue cases have already been recorded with 10 deaths so far.
Last year, the dengue virus hit 2,107 Cebu City residents, 51 of which resulted in death.
“We were discussing other strategies. They tried to let us know that we are now in a dangerous situation. For Cebu, the traditional peak season for dengue is June but it’s only February and we already have 260 cases. We are heading towards an epidemic,” Osmeña warned.
The mayor considered it a sign of hope that Labangon is no longer in the top 10 list of barangays with a high number of dengue cases.
City Councilor Gerardo Carillo earlier identified Talamban as having the highest number of dengue cases since January.
It is followed by Guadalupe, Mabolo, Inayawan, Tisa, Ermita, Tejero, Basak Pardo, Sambag II, Basak San Nicolas and Cogon Pardo.
“The basic lesson here is that the mosquitoes reach our houses so we must change the water in our flower vases, clean our dish racks and check water dispensers. We will be coming up with a series of reminders for the people to prepare their minds that there is a serial killer out there,” said Osmeña, referring to the aedes egypti mosquito.
To raise awareness on dengue prevention, the DOH will launch on Feb. 21 an intensive regional anti-dengue campaign with the theme “ToDOH Laban sa Dengue” in Barangay Punta Princesa.
DOH will introduce the mosquito mascot, which will go around the barangays to remind the residents of the steps in fighting dengue.
Among the dengue prevention measures is the searching and destroying of mosquito breeding sites, self-protection measures, seeking early treatment and saying “no” to indiscriminate fogging.
The DOH will also coordinate with the Association of Barangay Councils in immersing health workers and residents and giving lectures on the danger of the dengue virus, said Dr. Lakshmi Legaspi of DOH 7. NRC
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 15, 2008 issue)
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