Data provided by the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit under the provincial Health Office (PHO) said this year recorded a 1,198.3% uptick in dengue cases compared to last year’s 175 and one death.
Ages susceptible to contracting the dengue range from 0 to 82, with 14 years as the median age.
The male population has the highest number of recorded dengue cases (54.93%) compared to their female counterparts, with the 5-10 age group being the most affected by the dengue disease.
Leonidas Saniel, provincial Dengue program coordinator, explained that the Department of Health (DOH) often records an upward trend in dengue cases every three years.
PHO assured the public that they are closely coordinating with rural health units by amplifying the National Dengue Prevention and Control Program and the 4S strategy of DOH.
The enhanced 4S 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, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.
According to Saniel, some municipalities lack preventive measures in fighting against dengue, especially in mobilizing the purok dengue task forces, Dengue awareness campaigns, lack of political will from barangay officials, and adopting the Municipal Dengue Ordinance.
Saniel encouraged municipalities to adopt more strategies against the virus. Suggested approaches include intensive
massive and intensive information education and communication (IEC) campaign in villages, regular surveillances by purok dengue task forces at least once a week, lobby support from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and encouraging community vigilance, and mobilizing search and destroy programs.
In Tagbilaran City, Mayor Jane Yap has ordered a more intensified campaign against the spread of dengue among the city’s barangays as cases continue to rise.
The mayor is looking at activating more anti-dengue task forces which are going to facilitate information drives on how to prevent the spread of dengue among residents of the different barangays of the city.
According to City Health Office spokesman Robin Culpa, as of Oct. 31, 2022, about 232 dengue cases have been recorded in Tagbilaran City.
He added that there were only 51 dengue cases recorded in 2021. There were no dengue-related deaths in 2022.
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Photo caption:
A resident cleans the surrounding to prevent the spread of mosquito that causes dengue cases. The province of Bohol after it recorded 2, 272 dengue cases and one death this year. Leo Udtohan
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