MABALACAT City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo has urged his constituents to prepare against dengue, which has affected the entire country.
Garbo said the National Government has declared a dengue epidemic and it is very important that the people cooperate with the government in preventing the spread of the dreaded mosquito-borne virus.
"Ulitan ku pu ne, asna pung kaimportanti ing saup-saup tamu ngeni. Lalu na pu talagang, the national government had declared an epidemic on dengue," Garbo said.
This health problem caused by mosquitoes should not be ignored and neglected, according to the mayor.
Garbo said there are several dengue strains that may cause illnesses to people because of mosquito bites.
"Ene pu metung a strain ngeni ing gagala pu ketang dati itang aedes aegypti but right now atin na pung balamu mas matinding carrier na pu ning dengue wherein talagang dakal pa pung dapat pagadyan," the mayor said.
Garbo cited the importance of cleanliness to prevent dengue and other sickness.
"Mag-evolve ya pu ing yatu, darakal ing sakit. Even to the carrier of any animals, dakal pung malilyari ngeni anya pin nung lawen yu ku pu ing peka punto ku magumpisa anyang lukluk ku kalinisan," the local chief executive said.
Earlier, health officials in Mabalacat City have urged the people to cooperate and support the government's drive against the dreaded dengue virus.
Dr. Maria Clara Aquino, city health officer, said the health department needs the participation of the people with regards to fighting the outbreak of the virus which already affected the entire country.
"Gusto ko lang pong i remind o i-inform ang lahat na tumataas po ang cases ng dengue hindi lamang po dito sa Mabalacat pero sa buong Pilipinas," Aquino said. "So, kami po ay nananawagan na tulungan niyo po kame. Hindi po namin kaya sa health department lang na sugpuin ang dengue."
She said the campaign requires community participation. "So this is a community participation, involvement po ng lahat ng community. Lalong lalo na po, patulong po kami sa ating mga medical teams, barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay leaders in disseminating information against dengue."
According to Aquino, dengue may be prevented by simply following the 4S -- search and destroy mosquito breeding grounds, secure self-protection measures, seek early consultation and support fogging in hotspot areas.
"Simple lang naman po ang pagsugpo sa dengue. Sundin lamang po natin yung 4S laban sa dengue. Ano po ba yung 4S -- Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fumigation in areas affected by dengue," she said.
Sanitation inspectors, barangay dengue task force, and BHWs are looking for possible mosquito breeding places and identifying areas prone to dengue outbreak, Aquino said.
Dengue-borne mosquitoes lay eggs in impounded clean water, she added.
Aquino thanked Garbo for supporting various health programs, including anti-tuberculosis, immunization, anti-dengue, anti-Aids, hemodialysis, maternal and children health and nutrition program and others.
"The City Health Office is tasked to prevent and control the diseases in the city. So we are implementing the different health programs of the Department of Health and also the programs of our City Government led by our city mayor," Aquino said.