DOH gears up for June: Dengue Awareness Month

MANILA, Philippines – The health department sought to raise awareness on dengue on June which it has dubbed as the Dengue Awareness Month.

With the theme ‘Eskwelahan, Simbahan, Barangay, Palengke at Buong Komunidad, Sama-Sama Nating Sugpuin ang Dengue’, the Department of Health stepped up its awareness campaign and urged the public to remember the 4S Kontra Dengue strategy: Search and Destroy, Seek early consultation, Self-protective measures and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

The DOH said that all of their Centers for Health Development (CHDs) have been tasked to work closely with their local government unit counterparts in stamping out Dengue in their area.

Pegging the cases of Dengue from January to May at 23,000, which was eight percent higher than last year, Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag reminded the public to be vigilant and ensure that they are protected from mosquito bites.

Tayag said that containers where mosquitos preferred to breed, such coconut husks, empty bottles, old tires, tin cans, roof gutters, and even flower vases, should be kept dry.

Tayag also reminded the public to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using topical insect repellents or by wearing long sleeved shirts. “Suspected cases are urged to seek treatment if there is persistently high fever, appearance of skin rashes or any signs of bleeding,” he said.

Fogging, the health assistant secretary said, should only be done in areas with Dengue outbreak.

According to the DOH, most of the Dengue cases came this year from the National Capital Region (6,732), Central Luzon (4,181), and CALABARZON (3,555).

“Dengue cases surge during the months of June until August,” Tayag said.

Roemart Tamayo