CAGAYAN DE ORO City, the regional center of Northern Mindanao, is stepping up its campaign against dengue following the Department of Health’s (DoH) declaration last week of a national epidemic for the mosquito-borne disease. Northern Mindanao was among the 10 out of 17 regions under an epidemic threshold status, with 7,731 cases recorded, including 56 deaths from January to July 27 this year, based on DoH data. The city government, in a statement, said local cases reached 1,655 with 15 deaths, based on data from the City Health Office (CHO). An anti-dengue task force has been formed to closely monitor at the barangay-level, which have been ordered to lead in the implementation of clean-up activities and continued information campaign. A city-wide simultaneous clean-up day has also been scheduled on Aug. 20, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., to boost awareness. CHO’s Dr. Fe Bongcas appealed to barangay officials and the community to “work together to maintain hygiene in their area to prevent dengue.”

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