DOH: Dengue outbreak looms

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Health assistant secretary Eric Tayag yesterday warned of a looming dengue outbreak in Cebu if dengue cases continue to rise.

Tayag was in Cebu yesterday to join the dancing routine of the famous dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) as part of the DOH’s video campaign against dengue.

Tayag said that if the rise of dengue cases remains unabated, an outbreak may be recorded in the whole province.

In the whole country, dengue cases have reached 37,835. Tayag said that for Cebu alone, dengue cases have reached 5,559, the highest all over with 17 reported deaths.

“Tinitingnan natin yan, baka tumaas. Magkaroon ng outbreak,” Tayag said.

This is the reason why, Tayag said, the DOH chose to intensify its campaign against dengue in Cebu with the help of the world-renowned dancing inmates.

Tayag practiced and shot a video of their campaign against dengue with the CPDRC dancing inmates.

Since Cebu is associated with the famous dancers, Tayag said the participation of the dancing inmates would help them a lot in their dengue-awareness efforts in the province.

They will be formally launching the video on June 15 in time for the Asean Dengue Day, the 3rd time the Philippines will be joining. The launch as well as some other activities will be done in Plaza Sugbo, near the Cebu City Hall.

“Hopefully mapapakita ng Cebu ang mga magandang hakbang na ginagawa dito sa Cebu para maiwasan ang Dengue.”

Tayag said they are here also to study the increase of dengue cases in the province.

“We want to know why ang dami niyong kaso”, said Tayag, explaining that they will be launching the “4:00 habit” where schools, offices and all other members of the community are encouraged to participate.

“Kung merong three p.m. prayer habit, gumawa tayo ng four p.m. habit. Pagdating ng four, hahanapin nya yung mosquito breeding areas at pag nakita, tabunan ng lupa.Magkaisa tayo sa four p.m. outbreak,” he said.

Tayag explained that unless there is an outbreak or an epidemic, they are discouraging fogging and spraying.

He thanked the CPDRC inmates for joining DOH in their efforts to raise awareness against dengue. — /FPL (FREEMAN)