LUNA, Apayao – On September 9, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) provided Dengue Situation updates at the ECBJR Multipurpose Gymnasium and Evacuation Center during the Kapehan Meeting.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Mark Juleen Calban reported that dengue cases in the province have surged by 175%.
In 2023, 302 people were confirmed as dengue suspects from January to August, and this year, 1,079 cases have already been reported.
The municipality of Conner had the most dengue cases (262), followed by Santa Marcela (227), Flora (190), Luna (181), Pudtol (135), Calanasan (58), and Kabugao (26).
To reduce the number of possible additional infections, the Provincial Health Office has strengthened the implementation of activities like the following; reiteration of the Taob Yugyug pursuant to Provincial Order No. 1 series of 2022; Weekly clustering notification to concerned MESUs; Transmittal of Clustering Notification to LCEs; Periodic prompting of Provincial Integrated Vector Management Coordinator on the clustering of cases, retrospective records review, and field monitoring to barangays with high incidence; allocation of logistics to health facilities.
The municipal health offices also helped in the following measures: strengthen the Municipal Vector Borne Disease Task Force; cascade the checklist for Dengue Epidemic Preparedness and Response to Barangays; conduct investigation in areas of concern and submit vector surveillance report; activate trained Disease Reporting Advocates to monitor clustering and report to MESU; implement interventions as guided by DM 2019-0315 (National Dengue Epidemic Guideline), and Environmental Sanitation 5S Laban sa Dengue.
For the local government units of Apayao, they have been reminded to religiously push regular conduct of the following: Do the 4S (Search and Destroy, Secure Self Protection, Seek Early Consultation, Support Spraying in Hotspot areas to prevent impending outbreak); municipal-wide Taob Yugyug activities Friday at 4 pm; direct barangays to document clean up drive, and penalize violators as necessary.
The PHO and MHO, meantime, have again urged the public to take necessary actions to avoid dengue infection and seek early consultation if needed. By Loremia Pareja
