No dengue epidemic in Valenzuela

Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian directed city health officials yesterday to intensify its campaign against dengue following one confirmed death in the city.

Dr. Antonio Olegario, city health officer, however, assured the public that there was no cause for alarm as there was neither a dengue outbreak nor an epidemic in the city.

Olegario said that in addition to the awareness campaign, fogging or fumigation operations continue against dengue-carrying mosquitoes (aedes egypti) during the rainy season.

"We have mobilized our workers to lead the communities in the clean up drive," he said. "Cleaning up surroundings, getting rid of piles of trash and containers bearing stagnant water, is still the most effective way of preventing the spread of the disease."

Olegario stressed that fogging operations also mitigate the spread of the disease by killing the adults, "but this measure does not get rid of the larvae," Olegario said.

Health workers have been alerted to watch out for early symptoms and immediately report likely dengue cases in their areas of responsibility. Early action is significant in preventing deaths due to the disease so the public is being warned to bring suspected dengue cases to the hospital for appropriate and immediate diagnosis and treatment. – Jerry Botial