Gaane calls on public to intensify prevention drive vs dengue, measles

COUNCILOR Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, chair of the City Council committee on health and sanitation and health insurance, is calling on city residents to strengthen their strategies against dengue during this dry season.

During its recent meeting, the committee received an update from the City Health Office (CHO) regarding the decreasing number of measles cases in the city.

The CHO recorded 212 measles cases and six deaths in different barangays as of March 22, which is less than the figures gathered last month.

During the meeting, Dr. Rachel Dilla of CHO said while the reported measles cases in the city are now controlled, the city is now suffering from dry spell which may cause dengue especially in the hinterland barangays.

“Ang problem karon ang hinterland barangays kay mag-imbak man sila og water, so dengue na sad atong kontra,” she said.

Dengue is a vector-borne disease transmitted by an infected mosquito, produced in any artificial containers that hold clear stagnant water, that dengue will spread easily.

Councilor Gaane is urging residents to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings to control the spread of mosquitoes.

The CHO has directed barangays to follow the city’s 4S strategy against dengue; searching and destroying mosquito breeding places; securing self-protection; seeking early consultation; and supporting fogging and spraying in hotspot places.

Gaane is also calling for the cooperation of Barangay Health Workers (BHW) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) to heighten the public’s awareness of dengue and educate them on how it is contracted and how its spread can be prevented.

“Mas maayo mag una ta sa prevention,” she said. (SP/JBD)