DOT-Bicol warns tourists to stay away from dengue ‘hot spots’

LEGAZPI CITY –– The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Bicol has issued a travel advisory for local and foreign tourists to avoid areas identified as dengue “hot spots” by health authorities here.

Benjamin Santiago, director of DOT in Bicol, said the advisory was issued after the Department of Health (DOH) declared a national dengue epidemic because of the rising number of cases of the mosquito-borne disease.

“We strongly enjoin tourists to temporarily avoid visiting areas identified by DOH as Hot Spot as a health preventive measure,” Santiago said.

Records from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the DOH stated that as of August 7, there were 104 villages with rising dengue cases in the region.

In Camarines Sur, there were 45 villages listed as dengue hot spots; followed by Albay, with 22; Sorsogon, 17; Catanduanes, 15; and Masbate, 5.

In areas not identified as hot spots, tourists were advised to take the necessary precautions by avoiding places suspected to be possible breeding grounds of dengue.

Santiago said the travel advisory would remain until the DOH issues a health bulletin clearing the hot spot areas. /lzb