CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The Department of Health (DOH)-10 expressed the need for collective effort as dengue cases in northern Mindanao is already at 3,844 from January to June 11 this year, an increase by 134.25% compared to the same period in 2021 at 1,641.
Gemma Uy, medical technologist of DOH-10 said in Talakayan sa PIA, media forum, SM City Cagayan de Oro, that the region has reached its epidemic threshold, which means dengue is already in the environment.
Majority cases are male, from 1 to 10 years old with median age of six years old. Meanwhile, Bukidnon reported the highest number of cases with 1,322 cases and 14 deaths in region 10 with case fatality rate of 0.36%.
In particular, dengue cases in Camiguin are 7, Lanao del Norte (502), Misamis Occidental (244), Misamis Oriental (718), Cagayan de Oro City (757), Iligan City (294).
Deaths due to dengue in Bukidnon are 3, Lanao del Norte (2), Misamis Oriental (3), Cagayan de Oro City (4) and Iligan City (2).
Uy reminded the public to practice the 4-S campaign against dengue with the first S being the most economical and most crucial.
The Enhanced 4-S campaign stands for search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, secure Self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent, seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where cases are high.
Uy explained that dengue is a viral disease carried by mosquitoes particularly an adult female mosquito, Aedes Aegypti and breeds usually in stagnant clear water.
She urged families to regularly clean their homes and watch out for stagnant water in containers and to throw them if deemed unnecessary to avoid breeding of mosquitoes.
Uy further shared the need for ordinances among local government units (LGUs) to really implement cleanliness in communities and neighborhoods. (JMOR/PIA-10)
