MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) has urged the public to observe best practices in water storage to prevent breeding of dengue-carrying mosquitoes amid the water supply shortage.
"Mukhang lolobo ang kaso ng dengue kaya pakiusap po natin sa mga nag-iimbak tubig lagyan ng takip na plastik, talian sa may labi ng lalagyan (Dengue cases may go up so we request those storing water to cover [their containers] with plastic, fasten the lid of the containers)," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Friday in a television interview.
According to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, there are 36,664 cases of dengue nationwide with 140 deaths from January 1 to February 23.
The DOH said the total number of cases is higher compared to the 21,961 cases recorded during the same period in last year.
About 13,367 out of the total reported dengue cases were tested for laboratory examination, 10,194 of which, were confirmed positive of the disease.
To prevent dengue cases from increasing, Duque reminded the public to pracitice 4S-- searching and destroying mosquito-breeding sites, self-protection measures, seeking early consultation, and supporting fogging in times of impending outbreak.
He also advised the public to only use water ration in bathing and cleaning their surroundings and to boil the water before drinking it if they have no other source of drinking water.
"Even if the water is coming from a water corporation and it is supposed to be clean, the immediate handling can cause contamination," he said. (PNA)
