CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno said the City Government is intensifying its efforts to stop the widespread of dengue, as it declared war against the mosquito-borne illness.
Moreno and other City Hall officials joined on Tuesday, August 20, barangay officials and employees in launching the citywide clean-up drive dubbed Oplan Kontra Dengue.
Moreno and Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy conducted fogging in Barangay Carmen, the village with the highest number of dengue cases reported.
As of August 16, the number of dengue cases in the city was at 1,974, with 16 deaths.
"Kung mahimo, zero cases gyud unta, labina the rest of the months are also dengue months. Kinahanglan gyud ning tinuoron ang atong kampanya. This is like a declaration of war against dengue," Moreno said.
"We have to be proactive, we should involve everyone. Molihok ta as early as now," he added.
The City Council last week urged barangays with dengue cases to declare a state of calamity in their areas of responsibility to aid them in their campaign.
Uy, meanwhile, said the safest and cheapest way to stop dengue is still cleaning the surroundings.
"Let us make cleaning our houses a regular activity," he said.
In Northern Mindanao, a total of 17,701 dengue cases were recorded from all health facilities, from January 1 to August 17. This figure is 66.61 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
Bukidnon remains the region with the highest number of cases at 7,120 cases. The most common age group affected is 1-10 years old, mostly male.
The second leading province with the most dengue cases is Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin.
Among the cities in the region, Cagayan de Oro has the highest number of dengue cases, followed by Iligan City.
Deaths due to dengue is now at 70 in Northern Mindanao.