Caloocan residents warned vs dengue

MANILA, Philippines -  Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri reminded yesterday residents to keep their environment clean in order to prevent the spread of dengue as summer approaches where the illness increases.

Echiverri made the call after the Department of Health (DOH) has expressed concern on the surge of dengue cases.

Echiverri directed the local health department and the Environmental Sanitation Services (ESS) to step up their information campaign and clean-up activities to rid the city of the mosquito-borne illness. He also ordered local officials to coordinate with the health agencies in the anti-dengue effort.

Dengue is an acute infectious tropical disease caused by mosquito and is characterized by high fever, rashes, headache, and severe muscle and joint pains.

It is one of the most common mosquito-borne viral diseases in humans and is considered to be a major public health concern, Echiverri said.

The mayor said that dengue had become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children in several countries in Asia including the Philippines. – Pete Laude