DOH urges: Practice ‘4S’ vs dengue

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay PILI, Camarines Sur --- There is no better way to combat the spread of the dreaded dengue virus but to adopt the 4S: Search and destroy mosquito breeding places; use Self-protection measures; Seek early consultation for fevers; and Say yes to fogging when there is an outbreak. During last week’s Kapihan sa PIA aka Radio Café at Radyo Natin, Dr. Rey J. Millena of the Department of Health (DOH) renewed the DOH’s call to unite behind the DOH’s 4S program. Millena, DOH provincial officer for Camarines Sur, discussed the importance of eradicating the breeding places of mosquitoes like open tin cans, spare tires and other places where Aedes Aegypti, the dengue –carrying mosquitoes, would love to lay eggs and breed. Said he: “We don’t have to actually observe the other 3S if the first S- which is seek and destroy the mosquitoes’ breeding places will be fully observed.” He continued: “But in cases that we can’t fully implement the first S, let us not delay consultation if we suspect we had the virus and employ ways to protect ourselves like wearing long sleeves, putting on some insect repellant lotions and putting on mosquito nets when we sleep.” The record of the Camarines Sur Provincial Health Office showed that there were already 504 cases of dengue in the province for the first semester of 2017. Naga City had the highest number of dengue cases, with 236 affected residents. In a press conference held at the Naga City Hall compound, City Health Officer Vito Borja stated that 25 barangays in Naga City are now affected with the dengue virus. Only Barangays Dinaga and Lerma had no recorded dengue case. “Out of the 27 barangays in Naga, the top eight barangays with highest cases include Cararayan – 34 (14.5 percent); Concepcion Pequena – 29 (12.3 percent); Concepcion Grande – 18 (7.7 percent); San Felipe – 18 (7.7 percent); Pacol – 17 (7.2 percent); Triangulo – 14 (6.0); Del Rosario – 11 (4.7 percent); Calauag – 10 (4.3 percent). Other baragays with dengue cases in July included Cararayan with four cases; San Felipe, three cases; Bagumbayan Sur, Balatas, Concepcion Grande, Concepcion Pequena, Del Rosario, Pacol, San Francisco, San Isidro, and Tinago with a case each. Naga City was followed by the municipalities of Minalabac and Milaor, with 31 and 30 cases respectively and the capital town of Pili with 19. The age range of those affected by the dengue virus was from eight months to 72 years old, with male as the most affected gender (54.4 percent). There were two recorded deaths in the municipalities of Calabanga and Tigaon. Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Miguel Villafuerte directed the PHO personnel to intensify the information dissemination and enjoin the barangay captains in the advocacy. Villafuerte also encouraged early reporting of cases to avoid deaths and further complications, partnership with other health facilities for proper referral, and on time surveillance of reported cases.