CHO urges Dabawenyos to stay alert for dengue
AMID the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Davao City Health Office (CHO) urged Dabawenyos not to be complacent within their surroundings following the death of five individuals due to dengue this year.
CHO-Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Division (TDPCD) head Beth Banzon said in a radio interview on Wednesday that the city’s dengue cases climbed from 102 in May to 133 in June this year.
Based on their dengue monitoring, Banzon said Talomo Poblacion topped the list with the most dengue cases at 22 followed by Sasa with 15, and Panacan (12). Other barangays also with dengue cases are Maa (11), Tibungco (10), Calinan Poblacion (eight), Bunawan (six), Matina Crossing (six), Mintal (six) Catalunan Grande (five), Daliao (four), Tigatto (four), Cabantian (four), and Wilfredo Aquino (three) while some barangays logged one dengue case each.
"Dili ta mag kumpyansa kay pwede siya mu-triple. Tanang areas sa Region 11 labi na sa Davao City, nitaas siya compared last year (Let us not be complacent because there is a possibility that the figures might triple. Cases in all areas in Region 11, particularly Davao City, are experiencing an increase of cases, compared to last year)," Banzon said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
She cited that they have found a lot of breeding areas in the city during their recent rounds.
Banzon said with dengue, one needs to be on alert all the time. A fever should not be taken lightly as it could be a symptom, not just of dengue but also of Covid-19.
The health official said that the first to three days of fever could be an indication of dengue and the fourth to sixth days are critical since other symptoms such as nose bleeding, stomach ache, rashes, dehydration, and vomiting blood would then start to manifest.
“Sa dengue man gud nga sakit kinahanglan abtik ta. Pacheck dayon. Tan-aw, tan-awa sad inyong mga anak. I-check basin natulog lang diha kay naluya na diay (We should be alert when dengue strikes. Get checked immediately. Check your child from time to time. He or she might be just sleeping but is already weary),” she said, adding that other dengue symptoms are also similar with flu symptoms like headache and body pains.
She cautioned Dabawenyos that the rainy months of June to September are expected to see more dengue cases that’s why she reiterated the need to keep homes and surroundings clean and to never be complacent. Once a dengue symptom manifests, she said patients had to be checked by a doctor immediately.
During the first quarter of 2021, the 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.
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.
In Davao City, the 19th City Council passed an ordinance penalizing individuals who are storing old tires or any containers that could become breeding places for mosquitoes following the continuous increase of mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue cases in the city.
Under the ordinance, storing old tires and batteries, steel or plastic drums, empty bottles, jars, and water tanks no longer in use and the failure to provide a proper covering for the same especially if these contain water, making them breeding places for mosquitoes are prohibited.
Storing of rain or tap water in containers not properly covered when used in households, and other purposes are also prohibited.
Also, vacant lot owners who will fail to clean their property, which also becomes a breeding site for these insects will be penalized.
Upon inspection of the Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Unit, and Environmental Sanitation Inspectors of the City Health Office (CHO), and the Barangay Mosquito-Borne Disease Task Force, violators of this ordinance will face different penalties and sanctions
.
For the first offense, a fine of P1,000 and two hours of community service will be imposed, then P3,000 and four hours community service for the second offense, and P5,000 and confiscation of items and objects concerned for the third offense.