Celebrity mom emphasizes self-protection vs dengue

MANILA, Philippines - With dengue being more prevalent during the rainy season, news reports have been flooded with concerns over continuing reports of dengue cases throughout the country. In some areas, local government units have declared a state of calamity to release funds for anti-dengue programs and to aid victims in recuperating from the disease. According to data from the Department of Health (DOH), as of October 22 this year, there have been 527 deaths due to dengue.

For celebrity mom Suzi Abrera, the dengue situation is truly a concern. Suzi recalls the time when dengue incidences first peaked, “A schoolmate of mine got dengue. She was from a wealthy family yet she was not able to survive. That was when the reality of how deadly dengue hit me.”

Data from DOH as of October 22 placed the dengue cases at 97,158, 36.87-percent lower compared to the same period last year. However, in Metro Manila, dengue cases continue to climb with the total number of cases reaching 22,225, which is approximately 22-percent higher than the same period last year.

According to Suzi, dengue has always been a concern for their family, especially since they love outdoor activities and her husband had dengue a few years ago. Because of this, Suzi always makes it a point to protect her family. She ensures that there is no stagnant water — the preferred breeding place of mosquitoes that may carry dengue.

She also emphasizes the importance of self-protection. “Making sure to apply mosquito repellent such as OFF! lotion before heading out the door is a habit for all members of my family,” shares Suzie. “There is no way of ensuring that a place we go to as a family is dengue-free. So self-protection is the best way to minimize the chance of our family getting bitten by dengue-carrying mosquitoes.”

OFF! has been protecting families all over the world for more than 50 years. It uses Deet and Icaridin as its active ingredients. Deet and Icaridin are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States because of their excellent insect-repelling qualities, making them an effective protection against disease-carrying mosquitoes and other biting insects.

OFF! is available in personal topical lotion and spray.