THE Department of Health (DoH) said dengue cases from January to March 2, 2019 increased drastically compared to the same period last year and reminded the public to help prevent the illness.
In a press release the DoH said its Epidemiology Bureau reported 40,614 dengue cases from the said period. That total is 16,383 cases or 68% higher compared to the same period last year with 24,231 cases.
The department called on the public to help prevent dengue by implementing the enhanced 4-S strategy in their homes, including: search and destroy of mosquito-breeding sites, self-protection measures such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and use of mosquito repellents, early consultation, and fogging/spraying in hotspot areas.
“We are encouraging the public to practice the 4-S strategy, especially now that there are more opportunities for the mosquitoes to make stagnant water around these water containers their breeding places,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III was quoted as saying.
The DoH also cited an advice by the World Health Organization that there is no specific treatment for dengue but early detection and access to health care can lower fatality rates to below 1%. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
