THE Provincial Government of Guimaras has toughened its defenses against dengue hemorrhagic fever, as the number of dengue cases in the province has risen to 282 from January to June 27 this year, with two deaths.
Most of the cases were recorded starting May this year, while more than half of the victims are children aged 1-10 years old.
The Municipality of Jordan recorded the highest number of cases with 87, with one fatality.
Seventy were registered in the Municipality of Buenavista, 50 in Nueva Valencia with one fatality, 39 in Sibunag, and 36 cases in San Lorenzo town.
Governor Samuel T. Gumarin ordered all barangays of the province to strengthen their clean-up drive in the community to destroy the breeding places of mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.
Dina Grace Gabayoyo, dengue coordinator of the Provincial Health Office, said all villages have activated the 4S strategy advocated by the Department of Health to prevent the proliferation of dengue carrying mosquitoes.
The barangays were also advised to strictly adhere to the 4 o'clock Habit that mobilizes communities to search and destroy mosquito-breeding places.
The Provincial Government also heightened its blood donation drive to ensure enough supply of blood in the province amid the rise of dengue cases.
Thirty-seven successful blood donors were registered in a bloodletting activity held Thursday, June 27, at the Provincial Capitol Gym, with 16,650 cubic centimeters of blood collected. (PR)