3 regions cited for effective dengue response

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has identified three regions with well-coordinated response against dengue.

Health assistant secretary Albert Domingo said that except for Bicol, Soccsksargen and Zamboanga peninsula, all regions in the country recorded a surge in dengue cases.

“These regions did not record any increase in the cases. That is the reason why the DOH can not declare a national dengue outbreak,” Domingo said.

As of Aug. 10, the three regions showed no increase in the number of cases reported from June 30 to July 13.

The DOH said that dengue cases in Bicol, Soccsksargen and Zamboanga peninsula decreased by 17.78, 4.03 and 6.46 percent, respectively.

Domingo said the decrease in the cases could be attributed to intensified community efforts meant to eradicate the mosquito-borne disease.

“When you do cleanups, it should be simultaneous, it should be coordinated because mosquitoes can transfer from one place to another,” Domingo said. “If your barangay is cleaning up, but the neighboring barangay does not, mosquitoes will transfer  to that barangay.”

He said community coordination and engagement during anti-dengue operations are significant to eradicate the disease.

Data from the DOH showed a total of 150,354 dengue cases were recorded nationwide from Jan. 1 to Aug. 10.