THE Leyte Provincial Board on Friday, July 19, placed the entire province under a state of calamity due to the continuing rise of dengue incidence.

Latest data revealed that Leyte posted 1,747 dengue cases with six deaths.

Tacloban, a highly-urbanized city, also recorded 407 dengue cases with five deaths as of July 18.

With the increasing number of dengue cases, the Tacloban City Government has stepped up its clean-up drive and fumigation operations in its eight densely-populated barangays.

Henry James Roca, of the City Information Office, said the City Health Office personnel will have fumigation activities in Barangay 71 Naga-Naga 54-A and 91 Abucay Friday, July 19; Caibaan, July 22; and Barangays 85, 87 and 88 in San Jose on July 23.

On July 18 and 19, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the City Health Office conducted mosquito fogging and cleaning operations in Barangays 65, 66, 66-A, 67, 68, 69 and 70 in Paseo and Anibong Districts and 74-Lower Nula-Tula.

“Aside from the said operations, the City Health Office is also set to visit local schools to conduct fogging and destroy dengue mosquito habitation to prevent the spread of the disease,” said Roca.

City health officials also advised residents to seek immediate medical help if they experience sudden high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting, and skin rashes, saying these are symptoms of dengue. (SunStar Philippines)