’Search and destroy’ is effective in campaign against dengue
Department of Health (DOH)-6 Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Glen Alonsabe said the search and destroy strategy is more effective in the preventing the occurrence of dengue cases and deaths. The health department is pushing for the “preventive aspect” in all its advocacies related to the dreaded dengue disease.
The search and destroy is one of the scheme included in the 4S strategy formulated by the health department to address the dengue problems in the entire country. The 4S also includes 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.
Alonsabe described the “search and destroy” as “cost effective.” You will destroy the breeding ground of the dengue carrying virus without spending much money. One has only to spend time cleaning their respective houses and surroundings. They have two options, to clean or to have themselves bitten by a mosquito.
The DOH regional office along with the Iloilo City government has been in the forefront in the campaign against dengue along. The health department exerted more effort and even asked the local government units to review their dengue operation plan after there is a noted increase in the number of dengue cases not only in Iloilo City but in the entire region.
In the 2008 report covering the period of January to July 11, the dengue cases registered only to 1,215 with 11 deaths. However, number of dengue cases and deaths in 2009 of the same period increased by 24 percent. The dengue cases reached to 1,515 cases with 24 deaths. Iloilo City has the most number of cases and death with 447 cases with 16 confirmed deaths or 463 cases.
The record of the health department is in conflict with the figures available at the City Health Office (CHO). The city health has only a record of 100 dengue cases with 15 confirmed deaths. The city maintains on the veracity of the figures they have. The health department also stood pat on its report.
Alonsabe said they obtained their records from the different hospitals and sentinel sites. There are patients who first seek medical help from the different health centers before coming to the hospital. There are patients who need not go to the hospitals after they seek early medical attention. There are also patients who directly go to the hospital after they experienced dengue symptoms without passing the health centers.
There is no discrepancy on the number of dengue cases. The health department and the city health have different manner in obtaining the figures. Nevertheless, Alonsabe stressed they have 16 recorded deaths.