Dengue claims 21 Negrenses; anti-dengue campaign starts
THE Provincial Health Office announced the death of 21 Negrenses due to dengue in 2009 as the all-year-round campaign against the dreaded disease starts this month.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Luisa Efren said there were 1,392 dengue cases last year and a 50 percent rise in mortality was noted compared to the year 2008 where 1,192 cases were recorded with 11 deaths.
The increase in death, she said, could be due to delayed consultation and treatment and poor access to the nearest medical facility.
Dengue used to be a seasonal disease usually during rainy season only, now the office has to engage in a whole-year-round campaign because of the unpredictability of the weather which she hinted, could be caused by climate change.
On top of the list of what the people should do is to “identify the breeding places and destroy them,” he told PIA.
These places are usually stagnant water in tires, cans, and plants. Stored water should be covered and houses and the community should join hands in cleaning the surroundings.
She also said the 4S in fighting dengue will help bring down dengue cases. These are: 1. Search and destroy the breeding places of mosquitoes 2. Self-protection- wear long sleeves and long pants to minimize skin exposure 3. Seek early treatment and 4. Say no to indiscriminate fogging.
A person with fever should seek medical help after two days and should not wait for three days as if she or he has dengue, the disease could complicate and put the patient’s life at risk. (PIA-LOL)
