ARAYAT -- Residents here have initiated cleaning operations in their respective villages to destroy possible mosquito breeding sites following the confirmation of dengue fever cases over the weekend.
This came after John Mark Buan, 19, resident of Cacutud village, died because of dengue fever while four others are being treated in this town’s district hospital for the same reason.
“Sinumulan na namin ang paglilinis sa aming mga kaniya kaniya lugar. Inaalis ang lahat ng nakaimbak na tubig na pweding bahayan ng lamok. Mahirap na baka mga anak namin ang susunod na made-dengue,” Corazon Mesina, a resident of Cacutud said.
Imelda Imana, municipal sanitary inspector, disclosed that based on their initial assessment on the place of residences of the dengue patients, observed that there is a problem on sanitation.
“Nakita namin, marumi ang bahay. Nang tignan ang kwarto ng pasiyente madilim at sarado ang bintana. Alam naman natin mas marami ang lamok sa mga madilim na lugar ng bahay. Sinabihan na namin ang mga kaanak na maglinis ng bahay at sa paligid nito upang maka-iwas sa dengue” Imana said.
Among the confirmed dengue patients are Joyce Poblaio, 6, resident of San Juan Bano; Angelica Kudera, 11; and Kelly Martin, 4, both residents of Gatiawin village.
Meanwhile, local officials here are set to fill a dead river in Poblacion village suspected to be the breeding sites for mosquitoes.
“Malapit ang dead river na ito sa bahay ng batang namatay dahil sa dengue. Tatambakan na natin ito upang mawala na ang mga lamok na nangingitlog dito,” one of the village officials here said.
However, Imana noted that aside from the dead river there is a slaughter house in the area. It was learned that the drainage system of the slaughter house is no longer serving its purpose.
With this, local officials advised the residents to get rid of possible breeding sites for mosquitoes such as discarded tires and tin cans which can become filled with stagnant water if left outdoors. (Herbert P. Mapiles)