LGUs urged to follow ‘4S strategy’ to curb spread of dengue

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) must follow the “Enhanced 4S Strategy” to swiftly prevent the spread of mosquito-borne disease after the declaration of a national dengue epidemic, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the strategy means “search and destroy breeding sites; seek early consultation; self-protection; and say Yes to fogging only in hotspot areas where increase is registered for two consecutive weeks.”

Año also advised local chief executives and barangay officials to implement these steps to stop the spread of the virus:

• Synchronize the conduct of the 4 o’clock habit or the simultaneous cleaning of the household and community surroundings, getting rid of stagnant water and other mosquito-breeding sites and conduct of measures to prevent water stagnation every day, starting at 4 p.m.
• Facilitate chemical intervention, such as spraying and larviciding or the regular application of microbial or chemical insecticides to water bodies or water containers to kill mosquito larvae and pupae.
• Encourage residents to observe early consultation.

Año ordered LGUs to work closely with their respective Department of Health (DOH) Regional Offices to raise public’s awareness on how to curb the spread of the disease.

“The gravity of the dengue situation prompts us to work closely together because the health of our people is at stake. Local government officials are therefore advised to coordinate with their respective DOH Regional Office (Center for Health Development) in carrying out initiatives to prevent dengue,” Año said in a statement.

The Interior secretary, likewise, asked LGUs to oversee preparations of Rural Health Units and LGU-operated hospitals in assisting civilians infected by dengue.

“Ensure the availability of adequate logistics in the local health facilities, such as Oresol, non-structural protein 1 based rapid diagnostic tests (NS1 RDT), larvicides and medicines. Ambulances should also be at the ready to provide emergency transport for patients during referrals,” Año said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III declared on Tuesday a national dengue epidemic as cases of the disease in the country continued to spike.

Duque cited that DOH recorded 622 deaths and 146,062 cases from January to July 20 this year which is 98 percent higher than the number of cases recorded in the same period last year. /je

READ: DOH declares national dengue epidemic