DUMAGUETE City Health Office has recorded a significant decrease in dengue cases from January to July 21 this year compared to the same period in 2019.
A total of 109 dengue cases were recorded from January to July 21, 2020, while there were 453 cases logged in the same period in 2019.
However, City Dengue Coordinator Leticia Flores said during the "Straight from the Source" press briefing Wednesday, July 22, that despite the drop in dengue cases, barangay residents must not be complacent and households must continue to clean their surroundings.
As the rainy season has started, Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo emphasized the need for frequent community outreach to educate the residents on how to keep their homes safe from dengue and the danger of Covid-19 transmission.
Provincial Health Coordinator Dr. Socrates Villamor of the Department of Health (DOH) advised the public to follow the department's strategy on "Mag-4S Laban sa Dengue," which promotes a healthy and safe environment in communities.
The 4S program emphasizes the search and destroy of possible breeding sites of dengue-carrier mosquitoes; self-protection measures like wearing long-sleeves and sleeping pants or pajamas; and to seek early consultation if experiencing two to three days of fever; and support fogging only in hotspots where dengue cases are on the rise.
In the same activity, Assistant Provincial Health Officer and Incident Commander of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Dr. Liland Estacion said that local officials should also give importance to anti-dengue campaign so it would not add to the burden of fighting Covid-19.
Estacion said despite the coronavirus crisis, local health workers should continue to campaign against dengue or educate barangay officials and residents to maintain the decrease of cases.
Dumaguete City tops the number of dengue cases in the list of cities and towns in Negros Oriental in the first semester.
For the same period this year, top five in the list include Dumaguete City with 109; Sibulan, 163; Bais City, 120; Guihulngan City, 91; and Siaton, 91.
Meanwhile, personnel from the City Health Office, Philippine National Police, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the Public Information Office conducted house visitation and information drive in the barangays on the twin threats facing the city: dengue and Covid-19.
The team led by City Health Officer Dr. Ma. Sarah Talla checked on the health conditions especially of the children and elderly and distributed multi-vitamins and medicine following consultations.
Residents were asked to keep their homes and surrounding clean and free of potential breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
They were also asked to practice physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and to wash their hands regularly. (PIA)