Dengue cases on the rise

SunStar File
SunStar File

DAVAO City Health Office (CHO) is expecting an increase of dengue cases in the city now that the rainy season has officially started.

From January to May this year, there have been 840 reported dengue cases, an almost 65-percent increase from last year's 543 cases in the same period.

There have been three deaths recorded in the city this year.

For the month of May, 105 dengue cases have been reported, as compared to May 2018 with 95 cases reported.

CHO district health nurse Ernie Cequiña said Wednesday, June 19, that the city's measure in addressing dengue is now upgraded as compared to previous years.

Cequiña said they are using the "grassroots level" approach in their information education campaign (IEC) against dengue.

"Dati kay ginapatapok lang sila sa usa ka area -- gym or multipurpose covered court. Karon kay house-to-house na ang pag-conduct (We used to gather them in a specific area, such as gym or multipurpose covered court. Now we are doing a house-to-house campaign)," Cequiña said.

Despite intensified campaign, the health officer noted low reception from the community.

On Wednesday morning, June 19, Cequiña said the Tropical Diseases Unit of CHO conducted an IEC in Barangay Ma-a, but only few residents have attended.

He also said Ma-a has six reported cases last month.

"Kung maigo na sila (sa dengue), anha pa sila mulihok. (When dengue strikes, that's the only time they will take action). They will be blaming the agencies, the barangay councils. Asa naman nuon ilang cooperation? (Where is their cooperation?)," Cequiña said.

He said the CHO and other concerned agencies will continue to deliver their services to the community and they will continue to seek for public's cooperation in addressing the health problem.

The Department of Davao (DOH)-Davao, in a previous report, also projected the increase of dengue cases.

The DOH said it will continue and intensify its awareness campaign down to the grassroots level to at least reduce, if not eliminate, mosquito-borne diseases.

The Anti-Dengue Task Force was also revived to monitor what is being done in different areas to mitigate the effects of the spread of dengue.

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