DOH-7 aims to curb dengue cases

CEBU, Philippines - Dengue prevention will figure prominently on the agenda of health authorities in Central Visayas now that the wet season has started, an official from the health department said.

The Department of Health-7 will particularly focus on spreading awareness on the causes of dengue in communities in the region.

The rainy season, according to the state weather bureau, officially entered last May 30.

DOH-7 medical officer Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato told The FREEMAN that dengue cases may be controlled if people intensify their efforts to combat mosquito population and if they practice early consultations, as well as preventing the illness to worsen.

“If we can inculcate to people to observe these preventive strategies, then we might avert the problem or this possible increase of dengue cases,” said Buscato, who is currently designated as DOH-7 dengue program coordinator.

As the department observes Dengue Awareness Month this June, it will focus on two of the four preventive measures which the agency has earlier incorporated on its dengue program.

This year’s theme is “Search and Seek.”

The first preventive measure is to “search and destroy.” This means finding breeding sites like stagnant waters.

One of the common practices this rainy season is storing water where mosquitoes could grow and develop into adults. Buscato said people should replace water in flower vases in their households once a week; clear the gutters from leaves and debris; collect and dispose of all unusable tin cans, bottles or other items that hold water.

He added that people should also cover water drums and pails to prevent mosquitoes from reproducing and increasing in number.

The other preventive measure is to “seek” early consultation once symptoms are already noticeable, said Buscato.

He advised parents and guardians to have their children consulted by doctors immediately if fever persists for two days and rashes appear.

He said most of the deaths attributed to dengue are caused by late consultations and admissions. Most dengue-inflicted individuals only appear at hospitals when the illness is already severe and difficult to be treated, he added.

He also emphasized that the DOH has already provided dengue testing kits to different rural health units where people can avail of them for free.

Buscato said these measures are timely this rainy season when dengue cases are expected to increase.

Other protective measures like applying mosquito repellants and conducting fogging during impending or ongoing dengue outbreaks are found less effective since mosquitoes are said to be already resistant to these chemical substances. —/JMD (FREEMAN)