THE dengue cases in Mandaue City have breached the epidemic threshold after it logged more than 50 cases per week for three straight weeks in August, according to the Mandaue City Health Office (CHO).
The CHO also recorded 101 new cases in 13 days, between Aug. 19, 2024, and Sept. 1, bringing the total number of cases to 520.
In the third week of August, two children—one was one year old, while the other was eight months old—succumbed to dengue fever, bringing the number of fatalities for this year to four, according to the CHO.
Two fatalities (31 years old and 15 years old) were recorded earlier this year. In August 2023, the CHO recorded only 164 cases with no deaths.
CHO head Dr. Debra Catulong told reporters on Monday, Sept. 2, that there were only 419 cases on Aug. 19.
The jump to 520 cases in a span of 13 days alarmed the CHO.
The CHO sets the epidemic threshold at 50 cases per week. Epidemic threshold in the context of dengue refers to the specific number of cases that, when exceeded, indicates a potential outbreak of the disease. When the number of reported cases surpasses this threshold, it signals that the disease is spreading at an unusually high rate, requiring immediate public health interventions to control and prevent further transmission.
There could be a potential outbreak of dengue cases if the threshold is breached for three straight weeks; however, Catulong said only the Department of Health 7 can officially declare an outbreak.
Directive
Acting Mayor Glenn Bercede has directed the CHO to ramp up its anti-dengue efforts.
Among the preventive measures being implemented are regular fogging operations in barangays, conducted two hours before sunrise and sunset, which are peak times for mosquito activity.
However, Catulong pointed out a challenge with this approach: if one barangay conducts a cleanup drive or fogging operation independently, mosquitoes will migrate to neighboring areas.
“The mosquito’s fly range is about 300 meters. So, it’s more effective if all barangays conduct cleanup drives simultaneously,” she said.
To address this issue, City Councilor Jennifer del Mar plans to propose an ordinance requiring all areas in the city to coordinate their cleanup efforts.
Under this ordinance, residents will be urged to participate in synchronized 15-minute cleanup drives in the morning and afternoon, aimed at reducing mosquito breeding grounds across the city.
The CHO has been conducting education campaigns in barangays to inform residents about the importance of dengue prevention practices. It also reactivated the dengue brigades in all 27 barangays, focusing on maintaining regular cleanup drives.
Catulong stressed the importance of community involvement in fighting dengue and urged residents to practice the 4S strategy: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; employ Self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and using mosquito repellent; Support fogging operations; and Seek early consultation if symptoms arise.
“Residents should seek immediate consultation if they or their children exhibit symptoms of dengue, such as high fever, muscle and joint pain, nausea, or pain behind the eyes,” Catulong said.
In a bid to further strengthen the city’s defenses against dengue, Acting Vice Mayor Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, who chairs the committee on health, plans to encourage schoolchildren to wear knee-length socks.
This measure aims to prevent mosquito bites, especially from the dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito, known to fly low.
The CHO has set up dengue fast lanes at its office and the Mandaue City Hospital, where free consultations and laboratory tests are available for residents suspected of having dengue.
Catulong also reminded residents to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as maintaining good health and strong immunity is vital during the dengue season.
Dengue is a viral infection caused by one of four related viruses, primarily spread through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The disease is common in tropical and subtropical areas, with symptoms that can range from mild to severe.
Dengue often manifests with symptoms such as a high fever reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius, intense headaches, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain (often referred to as “breakbone fever”), nausea, vomiting, and a rash.
These symptoms typically emerge three to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and can last between two and seven days. While many people with dengue do not show symptoms, about 25 percent of those infected will experience these signs. / CAV