Local health officials have raised the need for multi-sectoral collaboration among the community, civil society, and government agencies to prevent and control the spread of dengue amid the rising cases in the province.
In a Kapihan sa PIA forum, Dengue Program coordinator Noel Ferrero of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported that a total of 1,251 cases with four deaths have been recorded for the first six months of 2024.
“This is a 151 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which had a total of 499 cases with zero deaths,” said Ferrero.
Dumaguete City topped the list of the 10 towns with the highest number of cases.
Ferrero is pushing for all hospitals and Rural Health Units (RHUs) to establish a dengue fast lane to ensure early diagnosis.
Cases in Dumaguete
In the same forum, Dr. Benju Lito Caturay of the Dumaguete City Health Office (CHO) said that dengue cases in the city logged a 24 percent increase compared to last year’s 55 cases.
Dumaguete City recorded 68 dengue cases from January to May 2024.
Barangays Bagacay, Junob, Taclobo, Cadawinonan, and Candau-ay were identified as having the highest number of cases during the said period.
“Since this is a viral infection, antibiotics do not work,” said Caturay.
Both Caturay and Ferrero urged the public not to be complacent and to remain proactive in dengue prevention.
To help combat the spread of dengue, Caturay encouraged the public to practice the 5S Strategy: Search and destroy breeding sites, seek early consultation, self-protective measures, support activities advocated by barangays and sustain hydration.
Ferrero also noted that amid high heat temperatures, mosquitoes, especially their eggs, increase their lifespan.
Amid the heat wave, he said, residents tend to store water in containers that are left uncovered, and these become breeding sites for mosquitoes.
The health officials reminded the public to actively seek out areas, containers, or any materials in their households that can store stagnant water and dispose of the water immediately to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in them. (PIA-7 Negros Oriental)