5-year old girl dies of dengue anew in Iloilo City
The number of lives lost to the dreaded dengue virus keeps on increasing amid calls from the city government for all barangays to initiate clean-up activities. Another five-year old child died of dengue recently.
The victim is identified as Mariana Isabela Miliondaga of Project 5, Sooc, Mandurriao. She died two days after she was brought to the hospital for treatment.
The recent reported dengue death added to the 20 confirmed deaths recorded at the City Health Office (CHO).
In an interview over dySI’s “Markado” program with Boboy Sombero, Barangay Kagawad Rosemarie Hilaos said they have already reported the matter to the senior nurse assigned in the barangay.
Hilaos, chair of the committee of health and sanitation, said they are conducting a clean-up drive dubbed as “Kaya Kulob” twice a month. She said, they have also encouraged all the households to clean their respective surroundings.
She said the households have to exert their own effort in keeping their place clean and destroy all the mosquito breeding places. It is not only the responsibility of the barangay officials to maintain the community clean.
Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by viral strains. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes Stegomyia aegypti and Stegomyia albopticus, previously known as Aedes aegypti. Dengue is the second deadliest mosquito-borne illness after malaria.
Hilaos added they have encouraged residents to put salt or used oil in areas with stagnant water to kill the wrigglers. Large portion of the community is rice land.
It is one of the city’s relocation sites. Normally, flood waters affect the barangay during heavy rains and typhoons. Fogging operation is not an ideal solution to Project 5 since there are number of asthmatic persons in the community.
She appealed to residents to cooperate and participate in the clean up drive since it is for their own good. Parents have the responsibility to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas urged residents to report immediately to the nearest health centers dengue incidents. The report will enable the health workers to trace the barangays with prevailing dengue cases.
Barangays Sto. Nino, Arevalo; San Juan, Molo and Veterans Village, City Proper have been identified as dengue stricken barangays in the city by the Department of Health (DOH).
Treñas has made several calls to the punong barangays and residents to exercise preventive measures and seek immediate medical attention should they manifest dengue-like symptoms.