‘Practice 4 o’clock habit to stop dengue’
As dengue cases increase in Iloilo province, a provincial health official urged Ilonggos anew to diligently practice the “four-o’clock habit” to prevent and control the dreaded dengue hemorrhagic fever.
The Provincial Health Office has recorded 1, 141 dengue cases with seven deaths from January to present.
IPHO assistant chief Ma. Socorro Quinon said part of the habit is for the community to observe preventive measures such as cleaning their surroundings to deprive dengue mosquitoes of breeding places.
This is usually done every 4 p.m. as its name suggests.
Quinon said containers holding water must always be emptied such as flower vases, tires, bamboos and cans, among other things that can hold water.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has already declared the months of June, July and August as Dengue Awareness Months to highlight the need for public vigilance and awareness as the best weapon to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
Passi City has the most number of dengue fever cases in Iloilo with 120 patients and one death, records show.
One death each were also recorded in towns of Guimbal, Calinog, Oton, and Bingawan. Pototan has two deaths and 113 cases.
Other dengue cases were listed in towns of Janiuay, San Enrique, Tubungan, Barotac Nuevo, Sta. Barbara, Estancia, Tigbauan, Cabatuan, Oton, Dingle Dueñas, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, and Dumangas.
Earlier, Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. has alerted all the health units and hospitals in the province after a surge in dengue fever cases.
Defensor said he is worried about reports that the 12 district hospitals in the province are congested with dengue patients.*
