DOH 6 sets ‘Dengue run’ on June 20
A five kilometer fun run dubbed “Dengue run” is set to be held June 20 to help increase the level of awareness of the public regarding the dreaded disease brought by the dengue carrier mosquito-bites.
This was disclosed by Dr. Fabian Mabasa, dengue regional medical coordinator of the Department of Health in Western Visayas during the press conference where he urged the public to join in the campaign against dengue fever especially now that the rainy season is coming.
Dr. Mabasa said the five-kilometer run from SM City- Iloilo is open to everybody, and it will start from 6:00 in the morning.
Other activities that will help increase public’s awareness on dengue include poster making contest, exhibits, and interpretative dance.
The year’s theme on the campaign against dengue is “Laban sa Dengue, Mag Four-S”
The four “S” are: Search and destroy the breeding grounds of mosquitoes; Self Protection measures; Seek early medical consultation; Say no to indiscriminate fogging, Dr. Mabasa enumerated during the presscon.
Per DOH 6 report, the number of dengue cases in Western Visayas was recorded at 1, 647 from January 1 to May 29, 2010.
The report further said that Aklan province has 91 dengue cases with one death; Antique has 13; Capiz-300 cases with one death; Guimaras- 16 cases; Iloilo- 315 with two deaths; Iloilo City- 126 cases; Negros Occidental-520 with two deaths; Bacolod City-266 cases.
For his part, DOH 6 Director Ariel Valencia said that the health department has already communicated to all local government chief executives in the region to intensify the drive against dengue through cleaning the surroundings and proper disposal of empty bottles, tin cans, used tires and other containers which served as the breeding ground of mosquitoes.
The DOH 6 director also urged all government agencies and the private sector to help in the health campaign. (PIA6/T.Villavert)
