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Thursday, September 21, 2006
Central Luzon dengue cases decline
By Marna H. Dagumboy
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Center for Health Development (CHD) Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit recently announced that dengue cases in the region has dropped this year, as concerned local government units (LGUs) and health workers stepped up implementation of strategies to prevent the occurrence of the disease.
CHD officials said a total of 2,358 dengue cases were admitted to sentinel hospitals in the region from January to September 2. The most number of dengue cases were reported in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.
There were a total of 3,473 admission cases last year compared with this year's admission cases, which decreased by 32.10 percent through the help of the public's awareness and consciousness on dengue prevention.
Furthermore, the vector control through environmental sanitation and cleanup campaign in the communities to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites is a key strategy in the prevention of dengue.
Caused by virus, dengue is transmitted by day-biting mosquitos Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
CHD regional information officer Sheryl Aure said information dissemination activities such as conduct of community assemblies, distribution of information, education and communication (IEC) materials to parents, school officials, barangay leaders were undertaken by rural health units, provincial hospitals and CHD office to properly educate the public on dengue prevention.
The CHD, however, stressed that the prognosis of dengue depends on its early recognition and detection and the monitoring of pre-shock conditions.
Common symptoms of dengue are sudden rise of fever, which lasts for two to seven days, joint pains, headache and stomach ache, small reddish marks on the skin, bleeding of the nose and gums and vomiting.
Aure asked LGUs and health center units to strictly enforce the local ordinance on environmental sanitation and to observe the daily community cleaning of surroundings every 4 p.m. to eliminate the possible breeding sites of mosquitoes.
She also advised the public to cover all water storage containers; puncture old tires found around the house to allow the drainage of collected water; clean and drain rain gutters to avoid water accumulation; and change water in flower vases and clean water containers at least once a week and discard empty cans, bottles and other containers where mosquitoes can breed to reduce mosquito-breeding sites.
The implementation of a comprehensive community-based mosquito control program and intensification of the health education program is also recommended, she added.
The CHD also recommends the establishment of a surveillance system in the different health and satellite centers to ensure the early detection of any increase in the number of dengue cases in the localities.
The public must be aware of the signs and symptoms of dengue and seek immediate consultation with the nearest health facility.
(September 21, 2006 issue)
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