SEVENTEEN people have died of dengue fever from January to September this year, according to the Department of Health (DOH)-Cordillera Administrative Region (DAR).

In the weekly Talakayan sa Environment Code radio forum of the Baguio Regreening Movement (BRM), Karen Lonogan, senior health program officer of DOH-CAR, said Cordillera recorded a total of 6,203 dengue cases as of September 7, 16 percent higher than the number of cases in the same period in 2018.

Lonogan said Kalinga had the highest at 992 cases, followed by Benguet with 913, Apayao with 951, Abra with 841, Baguio City with 568, Ifugao with 562, Mountain Province with 614. There were 762 cases from non-CAR areas.

Of the 17 deaths recorded, six were from Benguet, five came from Baguio City, three from non-CAR area, two from Mountain Province and one from Kalinga.

“What is good here is that the local government units (lguS) in our region are now very active with regards to the control and prevention of dengue. Their anti-dengue task forces in their barangays have been activated which helps in the decrease in cases,” the health program officer stated.

DOH-CAR observed majority of those affected by dengue came from the age group of 20 years old and below while 50 were aged 12 years old and below.

“Before the opening of classes or during the yearly Brigada Eskwela, DOH coordinated with the LGU’s and the Department of Education so that prior to the start of classes, the parents are informed on what to do to protect the students and teachers. The action undertaken here was the lectures advocacy with regards to the control and preventive measures which are focused on the parents on how they should monitor their children aside from the temporary suspension of the wearing of skirts for students in schools,” Lonogan added.

The Health department stressed the need to: conduct the 4S - search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites; employ self-protection measures (wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellent); seek early consultation; support fogging or spraying; and activate the different Anti-Dengue Task Forces in their area.