Gaane, CHO intensify dengue awareness campaign

SUPPORTING the government’s advocacy campaign on dengue prevention and control, Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, chair of the City Council committee on health and health insurance, in coordination with the City Health Office intensified its information drive against all mosquito-borne diseases.

This week, Councilor Gaane and representatives of the City Health Office led by Dr. Rachel Dilla and Dr. Fe Bongcas conducted simultaneous posting of dengue stickers in public transportations such as jeepney, tricycle, and trisikad, and also included government vehicles. The team also distributed dengue awareness flyers to the city’s constituents.

The program aims to increase community awareness and sustain participation in dengue prevention and control activities in the city especially in the barangays.

Based on research, dengue is transmitted through a bite of dengue-infected mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can lay eggs in any space or container that holds clear and stagnant water like a bottle cap, dish dryer, plant, gutter, trash can, old rubber tire, among others. They usually bite two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset.

With this, Councilor Gaane is reminding the public to practice the 5-S campaign against dengue as she deems that this strategy is still proven the best way to prevent dengue.

“Let’s all do our part to prevent more breeding grounds for mosquitoes that spread dengue by keeping our surroundings clean and always adopting proper garbage disposal techniques,” Gaane stressed.

The 5-S campaign stands for Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, Secure self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent, Seek early consultation, Sustain hydration during the time of having a fever, and Support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.