THE DECREASE of dengue cases in the Summer Capital should not be a reason for the residents to be complacent.

Only 64 dengue cases were recorded in Baguio from January to June or 875.34 percent lower compared to the same period last year with 703.

According to Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit’s (Resu) Geeny Austria, the Cordillera region also posted an 82 percent decrease of dengue cases during the first 25 weeks of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.

Despite the decrease, Austria said there is no room for complacency as peak season for dengue approaches this August.

As part of its advocacy, the Department of Health is promoting resilience against diseases, that peak during rainy season, with vaccinations and blood-letting activities and other free services.

The DOH recently launched a drive for dengue patients in need of blood as well as other patients with blood loss such as surgery patients and vehicular accident victims who need blood transfusion.

Anti-dengue vaccinations, however, are still not available in health centers in the regions but are available in private health institutions according to Austria.

Free vaccination

Meanwhile, an increase in the incidence of rabies in the Cordillera was also reported by the Resu. Austria emphasized rabies cannot be treated by washing the wound with running water and soap, but the victim needs to be vaccinated with anti-rabies shots which are free in the DOH and health centers.

Shots for other vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) such as polio, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, and tetanus are also available at DOH-CAR and health centers in the Cordillera.

DOH also offers free vaccinations for newborns and senior citizens.

Austria also encouraged people take flu shots every year, before the rainy season in order for them to build resistance against influenza virus.

Free flu shots are offered to senior citizens as they are more prone to this virus, Austria said. Pregnant women or women who are planning to have children are also advised to take vaccinations in order to prevent communicating diseases to their children and pass on protection to them.

“It is our responsibility to help our body, protect ourselves from infectious diseases, katulad ng sabi, resilience. Nasa atin ang isang key para hindi tayo magka-sakit,” Austria said.

Austria added any cases of illness in the community should be reported to DOH to control them early.

“Let us help each other, let’s help ourselves, and let’s help the government help us to make our community healthy,” said Austria. (Jenny Alexis Caburian/UP Baguio intern)