DOH warns vs dengue, chikungunya

THE Department of Health (DOH) in the City of San Fernando warned of the dangers of dengue and chikungunya amid the monsoon rains.

With flooding in most areas of the province, mosquito will surely find stagnant water to lay their eggs and proliferate. Along with mosquitoes is the possible spread of dengue and chikungunya.

The health office said that the most effective way to prevent dengue is to observe 4S Strategies which stand for Search & destroy mosquito breeding places; use self-protection measures; seek early consultation for fever lasting more than two days; and say no to indiscriminate fogging.

Specifically, the Dengue Task Force (DTF), composed of barangay captain, council on health, school principal, Barangay Health Workers (BHW) and non-government organizations (NGOs) has been tasked to educate the village folks on how to combat the dreaded dengue fever.

DTF is also responsible in monitoring dengue cases in their areas and as well as searching for mosquito breeding grounds.

Barangay folks, meanwhile, are required to submit breeding sites of mosquito to the Rural Health Unit (RHU) every first Friday of the month, while the remaining Fridays of the month are intended for “search and seek” strategy to defeat dengue.

Meanwhile, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an insect-borne virus that is transmitted to humans by virus-carrying Aedes mosquitoes and its infection causes an illness with symptoms similar to dengue fever.

Patients of dengue fever are usually children, who experienced slight joint pains; while there is severe joint pain in adult patients of chikungunya. The signs and symptoms appear two to 12 days after being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes, as the patients develop abrupt onset of fever, nausea, joint and muscle pains.

Patients who experience dengue or Chikungunya symptoms are advised to seek medical attention.

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