FEWER dengue cases were reported in Cebu City so far this year compared to the same period last year, which is a result of the schools’ anti-dengue program, a city official said.

The number of dengue cases dropped from 2,255 cases between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2017 to only 1,738 cases in the same period this year.

The number of deaths dropped from 39 to 12.

Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos, deputy mayor for health, said Barangays Pahina Central, Banilad, Busay, San Roque, Calamba, Apas, Sto. Niño, Kamagayan, San Jose and Sambag II recorded the highest number of dengue cases in the city.

“There was an increase of cases by 48 to 55 percent starting June up to September, but it started to go down this October,” she said.

The decrease in the number of deaths and cases was attributed to the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City’s enforcement of its anti-dengue program.

Thirty-six of the total number of deaths in 2017 involved children aged 15 and below.

In an earlier interview, DepEd Cebu City Assistant Schools Superintendent Dr. Danilo Gudelosao said they have a medical team that monitors schools to check the students.

Schools have also been instructed to practice the 4 o’clock habit of the Department of Health.

This is an annual campaign that encourages communities to take time to search and destroy possible mosquito breeding places at 4 p.m. every day.

Since mosquitoes carrying the disease are most active at dusk, cleaning before evening is advised.

The City Government, on the other hand, conducted misting in schools before classes opened last June.

The City also prioritized schools for curtain impregnation.

Personnel from the City Health Department also gave lectures on the dengue virus in some schools during the Brigada Eskwela.

Aside from this, barangay health workers were also directed to continue “ovitrapping.”

Ovitraps are used for monitoring and can detect disease-carrying mosquitoes, acting as an early warning signal to preempt disease outbreaks. (RTF)