Rising dengue cases prompt Kidapawan City fumigation drives

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Health workers started on Tuesday massive fumigation operations in several villages in Kidapawan City following a rise in cases of dengue fever in recent weeks.

The first area the city health office fumigated with anti-mosquito chemicals was Brgy. Sibawan, where 15 dengue cases were recorded since middle of January.

Luningning Alqueza, chief midwife at the barangay health center, said they have also embarked on education campaigns informing resident how to prevent dengue by eliminating breeding sites for mosquitoes.

“We want permanent eradication of breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” Alqueza said.

 The city health office of Kidapawan has also targeted three other areas around Brgy. Sibawan, where there is also high prevalence of dengue fever.

Kidapawan City Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco, chairman of the city’s disaster risk management and mitigation council, already assured to provide for all the needs in the fogging operations, according to barangay officials in Sibawan.