LOCAL health authorities recorded 225 dengue cases with seven mortalities since January 1, 2022.
Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, city health officer, said the mortalities are all children below 10 years old.
Miravite said two of the deaths are from Camino Nuevo villages, and the rest are from Bolong, Mercedes, Tetuan, Tictapul, and Sinunuc villages.
"Let us observe the 4-S strategy to protect ourselves from dengue," Miravite said.
The 4-S strategy includes the search and destroy of breeding site, particularly stagnant waters; seek early consultation; self-protection; and say “yes” to fogging in areas where cases are high.
Miravite has also encouraged residents to report dengue cases to their village officials who will coordinate with the City Health Office for the implementation of further measures.
Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.
The most common symptom of dengue fever are nausea, vomiting, rashes, aches and pain such as eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain. (SunStar Zamboanga)