CamSur-wide clean up vs mosquito-borne diseases

By Charen Vera

The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD 5) on June 10, 2022 reported an increase in cases of mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever, and Japanese encephalitis in the Bicol Region.

In a report based on DOH weekly surveillance from May 22 to June 4, 2022, a total to 77 cases were recorded for the said period compared to the 23 cases in 2021. This represents a 235% increase.

Of the 77 new cases, 49 are from Camarines Sur. Meanwhile, 7 cases of Japanese encephalitis were reported as of April 30, and 4 of these cases are from Camarines Sur. From January 1 to June 18, 2022, DOH-5 has logged 607 dengue cases in the region and 364 of these are in Camarines Sur.

In order to prevent the further spread of the mosquito-borne diseases in the province, Governor Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte issued a memorandum urging the mayors, MDRRMC and BDRRMC chairpersons, barangay captains, and school heads to participate in a province-wide cleanup on June 24, 2022.

“I was really glad with this initiative of the Provincial Government to conduct a province-wide cleanup. Upon receiving the memo, we immediately mobilized the volunteers, barangay officials, and barangay tanods to participate in the cleanup to make sure our constituents are safe from the threat of dengue,” shared Barangay Councilor Marlyn Bismonte, the Committee-on-Health of Barangay Tinangis, Pili.

Barangay Tinangis has logged two cases of dengue in the month of June, which is why they are eager to control and stop further cases by participating in the cleanup.

With the province-wide cleanup, communities were able to clean their streets, chapel, schools, and canal.

Simultaneous with the province-wide cleanup, the Provincial Health of Office (PHO) lead a Search & Destroy of mosquito-breeding sites in municipalities that had recorded the most numbers of mosquito-borne diseases. Staff members of the said office talked to households and discussed with them the importance of keeping their home surroundings clean, how to locate possible mosquito-breeding sites, and how to get rid of it.

The Provincial Government has also provided each Rural Health Units (RHU) with one sack of larvicide, which is used to eliminate pupa and larvae so that no adult mosquito can emerge in stagnant waters.

To prevent further spread of mosquito-borne diseases, the public is urged to follow the 4S Strategy: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, use Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, and Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak or a hotspot.