THE undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) said the agency is on alert and has coordinated with the Department of Health (DOH) to address the increase in the number of dengue cases.
"Nakikipag-ugnayan po tayo para matutukan at masugpo ang patuloy na paglaganap ng insidente ng dengue, especially on the issue of prevention and education," Education Undersecretary Tonisito M.C. Umali said.
According to DOH-Northern Mindanao, the region already exceeded the epidemic threshold, with more than 15,000 dengue cases recorded from January to August 3. Majority of the victims are male and the most common age group affected were one to 10 years old.
Umali said the DepEd is now focusing on education campaign involving students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and faculty.
They are taught how to prevent the spread of mosquitoes, to maintain the cleanliness of their school, and to take appropriate action at the first sign of having dengue.
"Maging mapagpanuri tayo dapat. Alam po natin dapat ang ating ginagawa. Napakahalaga po na mayroon tayong kamalayan kung papapaano maiwasan itong kasalukuyang suliranin na may kinalaman sa dengue, at dyan po nagsisimula yan. Wag po nating antayin na mangyari po sa atin. Nagsisimula po yan sa paggawa ng mga hakbang para po maiwasan na mangyari ito," Umali said.
"At kapag meron pong sinyales na may ganito po ang ating mga anak, 'wag pong mag atubilli. Ipagbigay alam sa ating local health authorities, maski sa ating school official, dahil alam naman po natin kung ano ang gagawin pag ganito pong sitwasyon," he added.
The DOH is encouraging the public to practice the "Sabayang 4 o'clock Habit para Dengue Get Out" activities to support the fight against dengue.
The health department also urged to do the 4S Strategy of the government health agency's campaign to reduce the risk of dengue, which involves:
* Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites
* Self-protective measures, like using of insect repellants daily and wearing of light-colored clothes, long sleeves, and long pants
* Seek early consultation to the nearest health care facility once signs and symptoms are manifested
* Support fogging, spraying, and misting only in hotspot areas where increases in case is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.