Mandaue intensifies campaign vs dengue

Dr. Debra Maria Catulong, medical officer of MCHO (Contributed photo)
Dr. Debra Maria Catulong, medical officer of MCHO (Contributed photo)

THE Mandaue City Health Office (MCHO) has been intensifying its education and information campaign (EICs) to battle the increasing dengue cases in the city.

Dr. Debra Maria Catulong, medical officer of MCHO, told SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, June 7, that they have been organizing successive seminars in the different barangays and sitios to give people enough awareness on dengue and its risks to the community.

Catulong said they are constantly encouraging the barangay health officers to conduct dengue lectures and give the participants EIC materials containing tips to avoid dengue fever.

As most dengue victims are children, Catulong said they prioritize educating mothers.

"We take the time to educate mothers by giving them mini-lectures in clinics while waiting for their prenatal check-ups and immunization for their children," she said.

The MCHO believes that awareness on dengue will spare people from acquiring the viral disease and help decrease dengue cases in the city.

Aside from lectures, they also continued their 4S strategy program: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, Self-protection measures, Say no to indiscriminate fogging, and Seek early consultation.

They also sprayed larvicides in stagnant waters through the dengue brigade of each barangay.

Data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit in Central Visayas (RESU 7) revealed that Mandaue City had 263 dengue cases with two deaths as of May 21, compared to 214 dengue cases and two deaths on May 7, showing an increase of 49 cases in just two weeks.

From January 1 to May 21, Mandaue still ranked third among the cities in the Central Visayas that have the highest number of dengue cases.

Cebu City topped the list with 855 cases and 11 deaths, while Lapu-Lapu ranked second with 663 cases and six deaths.

Among the 27 barangays in Mandaue that have higher dengue cases are Basak with 23), Labogon with 22, Cabancalan with 21, Tabok (18) and Canduman (17).

Basak Barangay Captain Felipe Duano said on Tuesday, June 7, this is the first time that Basak garnered the most number of dengue cases in the entire Mandaue.

Duano said he is now monitoring all areas in Basak with the help of barangay health personnel.

He also reminded the people to always clean their environment by destroying the breeding grounds for dengue-carrier mosquitoes.

"Cleaning the environment is the best solution," he said.

The MCHO reminded those individuals who have experienced symptoms of dengue, such as fever and rash, to seek free medical consultation and laboratory examination at the city health office. (HIC, TPT)

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