Iloilo City records nine dengue deaths
While the government is focusing on the spread of A(H1N1) influenza, the dreaded dengue virus has already claimed the lives of nine people and affected 82 persons here in Iloilo City. The 82 cases were recorded from January to June 22 this year. In 2008, there were no recorded deaths in the first five months of the year.
Ironically, the city government declared the month of June as Dengue Awareness Month yet dengue cases continue to increase. The rising number of dengue cases has alarmed Mayor Jerry Treñas. As such, he has ordered all the punong barangays to conduct clean up activities particularly in barangays where there are confirmed dengue cases. Cleanliness in every barangay is the most effective weapon in eliminating the spread of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
On his part, City Health Office head Dr. Urminico Baronda concurred that preventive measures must be practiced. He recommended pro-active measures in eliminating the dengue cases in the city that mostly affect children. The dengue cases swell in the months of June until September.
Most of the dengue cases were recorded during the onset of the rainy season. Stagnant water and dark places are the favorable places for the dengue carrying mosquitoes to procreate. Emptying of containers and cleaning of drainage are highly recommended to kill the wrigglers. The health office recommends the use of larvicidal in large open areas with water to kill the wrigglers. The fogging operations for four consecutive weeks in areas considered as dengue hotspots is only suggested if necessary.
The health office came up with a campaign strategy dubbed as “4S” in order to address the increasing number of dengue cases in the city. The 4S are search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes, self-protection by wearing proper clothing, seek early consultation and say no to indiscriminate fogging. Fogging is discouraged as it brings risks to individuals suffering from asthma, said Baronda.
The CHO is likewise conducting a massive campaign against the spread of dengue. The information campaign relative to the dengue awareness month aims to inform and educate the public in protecting themselves from the dengue infection. The consolidated effort from the health educators, barangay officials, school officials and media will ensure the proper and effective dengue campaign plan.
The information drive is being led by Dr. Mae Delmo. She serves as the city health office dengue coordinator and designed the action plan and recommendations to eliminate the upsurge of dengue cases. One of her recommendations is a continuous surveillance of dengue cases.
Delmo said the surveillance will be conducted by barangay health workers (BHWs), sanitary inspectors, midwives or nurses in-charge of the barangay. The participation of barangay kagawads particularly those assigned in the health committee is necessary. The conduct of surveillance is a must in the monitoring of areas with dengue cases.
The mobilization of designated barangay personnel for continuous dengue prevention initiatives is called for. The health office is closely coordinating with the Association of Barangay Captains in the implementation of the dengue campaign plan. Along with the punong barangays, the assistance of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office was tapped for the environmental management and cleanliness aspect, said Delmo.
The prompt reporting of confirmed dengue cases is also proposed by Delmo. The report coming from the barangay will be validated by medical officer-in-charge of each district and for purposes of hospital reporting. Moreover, they also encouraged the schools to introduce dengue prevention in the science class. Children of school age will have an idea about dengue as well as its prevention when taught in school.