CAMPAIGN VS. DENGUE. Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Dengue Coordinator Marani Hencita during the information and education campaign in Barangay Egaña, Sibalom, on June 15, 2024. IPHO Information Officer Irene Duldoco said in an interview Tuesday (June 18) that they have recorded 266 cases of dengue in the province during the June 4 to 10 period. (Photo courtesy of Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is warning the public against the increasing cases of dengue with the onset of the rainy season.
IPHO Information Officer Irene Duldoco said in an interview Tuesday that they have monitored 266 cases during the 23rd morbidity week covering the June 4 to 10 period, higher when compared with the 240 cases in the previous week.
The Municipality of Caluya recorded the highest cases of 65. Other municipalities with high cases are Sibalom with 46; Culasi, 43; San Jose de Buenavista, 15; and Sebaste, 14.
“Although there is no reported death due to dengue yet in Antique. But the public should not let down their guard, especially since there are clustering of dengue cases in some barangays,” Duldoco said.
She said that the clustering of dengue in barangays of Imparayan and Egaña in the Municipality of Sibalom and Abiera in Sebaste means dengue-carrying mosquitoes are present in the areas.
These barangays were monitored to have two or more dengue cases in the past four consecutive weeks.
The IPHO on June 14 conducted an information and education campaign in the two barangays on June 15.
“We are advocating the 4S strategy among the barangay residents,” Duldoco said.
The 4S strategy stands for “search and destroy” mosquito breeding places, employ “self-protection measures,” “seek early consultation,” and “support fogging/spraying” to prevent an impending outbreak.
Duldoco said that under the search and destroy measure, the public should immediately check bottles and other possible mosquito breeding sites to get rid of the stagnant water after the rain, and, with self-protection, parents should let their children wear long-sleeve shirts and pajamas and apply mosquito repellant lotions.
“The public is urged to seek early consultation with rural health units (RHUs) if they suspect to have dengue,” she said.
She said that early consultation is crucial to prevent death from dengue. Rural health units in Antique have dengue test kits that are free. (PNA)
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