DAVAO Region's dengue cases decreased this year by more than 50 percent, according to the Department of Health (DOH) regional office.
Based on the DOH data from January to April 30, 2021, the entire region has only recorded a total of 469 cases. This is a 51.8 percent decline from the 974 cases recorded in 2020 in the same period.
Davao City, which records the highest cases in both years, registered a 23.61 percent decline from 487 cases in 2020 to 372 cases in 2021.
Davao del Norte, meanwhile, recorded the highest percentage drop with 90.7 percent from 151 cases in 2020 to 14 in 2021.
Davao Oriental, the sole province with only a single-digit case, also recorded a 55.5 percent decline of cases from nine in 2020 to four in 2021.
Meanwhile, Davao de Oro recorded a 23.61 percent decline from 157 cases in 2020 to 37 in 2021; Davao del Sur with 82.2 percent decline with 45 cases in 2020 to eight cases in 2021; and Davao Occidental with 72.8 percent decline from 125 cases in 2020 to 34 cases in 2021.
DOH-Davao Dengue Program Manager Antonietta Ebol said they continue their program against dengue through information campaigns and tropical fogging, especially within barangays, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
"Nakatabang gyud atong 4S sa rehiyon ug unta magpadayon karong tuiga ang pagkunhod [sa kaso] (Our 4S campaign helped the region in the lowering of dengue cases and we hope this continues throughout the year)," she said in a virtual presser.
The 4S stands for searching and destroying mosquito breeding places; securing self-protection measures, such as wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellents; seeking early consultation; and supporting fogging and spraying in hotspot areas.
Prior to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), she said they were able to implement several programs during the first quarter last year.
She added that the restrictions imposed during quarantine had helped considerably in the declining number of dengue cases in the region.
"Nakatabang gyud ang pagpondo sa balay kay daghan nahipos ug daghan tang panahon nga nakapanglimpyo ta sa atong tugkaran (Staying at home really helped since people have a lot of time cleaning our surroundings)," Ebol said, adding this had resulted in dismantling the breeding sites of mosquitoes.
She added that they continue to provide free rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits especially to different rural health units.
She encouraged those who are manifesting dengue-linked symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and rashes, etc. to go to their nearest health center and avail of the free RDT testing.
She also said they continuously conduct fogging in schools and establishments, despite the limited movement of children due to the pandemic.