DENGUE PREVENTIVE MEASURES. Department of Health (DOH)-Calabarzon Regional Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo calls for an intensified and collaborative effort in the fight against dengue in the region before local government officials, public health officers and private hospitals, in one of the DOH regional office’s public forums in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on July 18, 2019. (Photo courtesy of DOH4A-MRCU)
STA. CRUZ, Laguna -- The Department of Health (DOH) regional office in Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (Calabarzon) area is urging the public to embark on intensive preventive measures while there is no available officially approved dengue vaccine yet.
“This is in support of the declaration of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on the National Dengue Alert due to the continuous increase of dengue cases in various regions, including Calabarzon,” Regional Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo on Saturday said.
Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) reported that dengue cases in the region soared to 13,032 from January 1 to July 13, 2019, up by 26 percent from 10,350 cases during the same period last year.
A total of 50 dengue-related deaths were recorded in the region as of July this year, it said.
Janairo also issued dengue alert response and emergency management of cases to all Provincial Health Offices (PHOs), City Health Offices (CHOs), Municipal Health Officers (MHOs), Dengue Prevention and Control Program Coordinators, Provincial Department of Health Office (PDOHO) and other concerned units in the region.
Responses and emergency management include the immediate reactivation of Dengue Task Force in every local government unit (LGU), including the establishment of dengue fast lane in all government and private hospitals.
“We will be prioritizing areas for community-based intervention to control dengue vector, such as areas where there are clustering of dengue cases, occurrence of an outbreak in the past year, recent dengue-related deaths, vector indicators and presence of cases in schools and hospitals,” he said.
Janairo assured the DOH will be assisting LGUs, through the respective PDOHO in every province, to implement anti-dengue activities through enhanced 4S strategy --Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, Secure self-protection, Seek early consultation, and Support misting/spraying to prevent an impending outbreak.
“There is still no vaccine for dengue. The best way to prevent dengue virus infection is to take the necessary precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and consult a doctor immediately if suffering from a high a fever,” he said.
Janairo vowed to send disease surveillance officers to investigate and validate reported dengue cases, especially persons vaccinated with Dengvaxia who show signs and symptoms of dengue.
He said the World Health Organization has not officially approved the Dengvaxia vaccine.
Janairo further said the regional office will also intensify health education and awareness campaign against dengue by conducting community assembly, and distribution of information and education campaign materials. (PNA)
