DOH disease experts sent to Ilocos

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has sent disease experts to areas in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte that are now experiencing dengue outbreaks.

Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH manager for the Dengue Control Program, said experts from the department’s regional office are now assisting local health authorities in Ilocos Sur and in Dingras, Ilocos Norte in containing the outbreaks.

“It’s actually a standard procedure for us.  We help in vector control and in educating the people there on how to prevent the spread of dengue,” he said in a phone interview the other day.

The DOH urged those living in areas unaffected by the outbreak to help contain dengue by getting rid of possible breeding sites of mosquitoes.

Lee Suy said vacant lots should be scoured for buildup of clean and stagnant water. “Most of the time, we overlook vacant lots when we clean the neighborhood. There may be many breeding sites of mosquitoes there,” he said.

The DOH is expecting dengue cases to increase this month due to rains although the number of dengue cases in the country is lower this year than in 2010.