Dengue fever cases in Cebu province continue to increase despite the hot weather.
From January to March this year, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) recorded 729 cases and 12 deaths attributed to dengue, or 190 percent higher compared to the same period last year, when only 251 cases and no deaths were reported.
“Although we say that there might not be water anymore (and) no more breeding places for mosquitoes (because of the heat), there are still areas where they can breed. Anywhere that is damp like the bottom of a leaf or even the smallest bodies of water, they can lay eggs there,” Provincial Health Officer Cynthia Genosolango told reporters yesterday.
The consolidated PHO report, however, did not specify which localities in the province have the highest number of dengue cases.
Improper water storage amid the dry spell was seen as one reason behind the higher number of dengue cases this year.
Baltazar Tribunalo Jr., head of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), earlier said that while the people were advised to store water, they were also warned against irresponsible water storage, which could be a reason why the number of dengue cases in the province went up.
“The containers should be properly sealed so that mosquitoes won’t be able to lay eggs in them,” he added.
Capitol has been providing plastic drums to local government units (LGUs), even water catchment and water impounding facilities in component towns and cities starting May last year.
The PHO report showed that in the last three years’ first quarter monitoring, it was in 2013 that the highest number of dengue cases was recorded at 1,327. The lowest was in 2015, with 251 cases.
Dengue incidents declined towards the end of 2013 when the provincial government started intensifying its campaign against dengue, the PHO said.
Genosolango said localities need to be reminded anew about how to combat dengue since they might have become “complacent” over the years.
She urged everyone in the community to help rid their areas of probable breeding places of mosquitoes such as discarded tires, flower pots, or any container that might store water.
The PHO also conducts weekly misting operations in towns with high dengue cases and supports localities that procured their own misting machines.
PHO advocates “4S Against Dengue” which serves as a reminder to local government units on what to do to prevent it.
The 4S means Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, use Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than two days, and Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak.
For January and February this year, Balamban initially topped the list with 64 cases, followed by Carcar (40), Bantayan (30), Daanbantayan (20), and Moalboal (18), the report said.
Balamban, Carcar, and Daanbantayan were also in the top five list in 2015.
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