The Dengue-carrying mosquito “Aedes aegypti.” (PNA file photo)
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – Health authorities in the province have strengthened efforts to implement the “4S” strategy against dengue after cases reached 2,202 with six deaths since January this year.
Jose Barroquillo, South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Mosquito-borne disease program coordinator, said three of the fatalities were from Polomolok town, and one each from Tboli, Norala, and Koronadal City.
“IPHO has recorded 2,202 dengue cases as of July, or about 132 percent higher as compared to last year,” Barroquillo said Friday.
Of the total cases, Polomolok has the highest number with 376, followed by Surallah (321) and Koronadal City (317).
He said 825 or 37.5 percent of 2,202 dengue-positive were aged 0 to 9 years.
“Always monitor for symptoms of your children,” Barroquillo said in a radio interview. “Parents should keep watch on fever, skin rashes, body pain, and worst bleeding.”
In no time, parents should bring their children to health professionals to avert complications and possible death, he added.
To help contain the spread of dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes, Barroquillo urged the public to religiously practice the Department of Health’s “4S” strategy to combat the disease.
“4S” stands for search and destroy mosquito breeding places, seek early consultation, secure self-protection, and support anti-dengue fogging or spraying operations when necessary.
He said IPHO teams were tasked to coordinate with village officials to contain the spread of dengue through sanitation and the destruction of dengue breeding grounds.
South Cotabato has 199 villages spread out over its 10 municipalities and one city area of jurisdiction.
Overall, the country has recorded 85,692 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to July 22, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Aug. 2.
The tally is 19 percent lower than the 106,517 cases reported during the same period in 2022, but cases are increasing since the first week of April because of the rainy season.
From June 25 to July 8, the DOH reported 9,916 dengue cases, which is 7 percent higher than the cases logged two weeks prior. (PNA)
