ANTI-DENGUE MEASURE. A staff of the Bacolod City Health Office conducts fogging in one of the villages with reported dengue cases in this undated photo. During the period January 1 to June 11, 2022, Bacolod recorded 207 dengue cases, including four deaths, which is higher by 137 percent compared to the cases reported during the same period last year. (File photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO)
BACOLOD CITY – The 61 barangays in this city are conducting intensified cleanliness campaign to curb the increasing cases of dengue, now considered a year-round disease.
In a statement on Friday, Mayor Evelio Leonardia urged barangay leaders and health workers to coordinate with the City Health Office (CHO) in implementing anti-dengue activities.
“Much like coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), dengue is no laughing matter. We cannot afford another pandemic,” he said.
During the period January 1 to June 11, Bacolod recorded 207 dengue cases, including four deaths, higher by 137 percent compared to only 87 cases, with two deaths, logged during the same period in 2021.
“Maintain cleanliness in surroundings especially with the occasional rains in the afternoons,” the mayor said.
In the barangays, identified as the most common breeding places include plants, uncovered bottles, water containers, and empty fishponds.
Dr. Grace Tan, chief of the CHO Environment Sanitation Division, said they are working with the barangays in the implementation of Executive Order 17, which provides the creation of the Anti-Dengue Committee and the Barangay Anti-Dengue Task Force.
Activities include the distribution of larvicides, tri-media campaign, fogging, and spraying in and around index cases and schools, an epidemiological survey as well as a partnership with establishments, conduct of noise caravans, and activation of dengue fast lanes in health centers.
Tan reiterated her call to the barangays to practice the “4S” strategy, which 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”.
As of June 11, some 15 barangays have been identified with clustered dengue cases, or those with two or more reported cases within one or more than two successive weeks.
The top 10 villages with the highest number of dengue cases are Estefania,Tangub, Singcang-Airport, Mandalagan, Mansilingan, Sum-ag, Villamonte, Granada, Alijis, and Taculing. (PNA)
