Negros Oriental recorded 515 cases of dengue and one fatality so far compared to the same period last year.
However, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion said the province recorded the lowest number of dengue cases in Central Visayas as of June this year, based on the population density of each province.
Estacion said that compared to the same period last year with 581 cases and three deaths, dengue cases in the province have been lowered by about 11 percent.
Estacion believes that regular information drives and consultation have been improved by the province’s awareness campaign, which resulted in the decrease in the number of cases.
She hopes that by next year, the province will experience zero cases of fatalities.
The top five areas with the highest number of dengue cases in the province include Dumaguete City, La Libertad town, Sibulan town, Bais City, and Manjuyod town.
During a Kapihan sa PIA Forum on June 20, local health officials encouraged residents to always sanitize their homes and surroundings.
Department of Health (DOH) Provincial Head Jennifer Remollo explained that the local government units (LGUs) also took action by doing the 5S strategy.
Remollo reminds the public to always practice search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; uphold self-protection; seek early consultation at the neatest health care facility; support fogging, spraying, and misting in hot spot areas; and sustain hydration to prevent dengue virus.
“Your dish drainer is a breeding ground for dengue,” health nurse Leticia Flores, dengue coordinator program of Dumaguete City Health Office, said as she shared her experience from the search and destroy operation she had conducted in a certain barangay.
Flores reported that the city has 50 cases as of June, of which the highest cases were recorded in five barangays, namely: Taclobo, Bagacay, Mangnao, Banilad, and Daro.
Sibulan Municipal Health Officer Dr. Jan Sibala-Arco said that since her town got the third spot as one of the top areas with a high incidence of dengue, every barangay has been conducting clean-up drive, intensified the practice of 5S dengue prevention, and distributed treated polynets to schools.
Sibulan town’s top barangays with high cases of dengue are Tobtobon, Maslog, Cangmating, Magatas, and Boloc-boloc.
Arco reminded the public, especially the plantitos and plantitas or plant enthusiasts, to keep an eye on plants with leaves that catch and store water which can be a breeding ground for waya-waya (mosquito wrigglers).
She added that clothing cabinets must be kept neat and organized as these can be places where mosquitoes can hide.
Similarly, unclean or dusty and unwashed curtains are objects in indoor spaces that lure mosquitoes.
“If we have experienced any dengue symptoms such as fever and rash, we have to seek consultation immediately before things get worse,” the doctor advised.
Estacion enjoined all barangays to step up their campaign against dengue by reactivating their ABAKADA or the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue and the 4:00 Habit. (PIA-7 Negros Oriental)