Amas, Kidapawan City– As the rainy season has started, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is calling for active community support in its intensified campaign against dengue.
As of June 7, 2020, 407 cases of dengue were recorded from January-June 2020 by the Cotabato Province Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) with three deaths coming from the municipalities of Makilala and M’lang.
According to SP Committee on Health and Sanitation Board Member Philbert G. Malaluan, MD, though the cases of dengue in the province have not reached the epidemic threshold, the provincial government is applying precautionary measures to suppress the spread of the deadly disease.
He also said that dengue and COVID-19 are difficult to distinguish because they both share same clinical laboratory features. However, unlike COVID-19, dengue virus cannot be transmitted through human contact but through mosquito bite of aedes aegypti mosquitoes that usually breed around human dwellings and prefer to lay eggs in clean and stagnant water like a bottle cap, dish dryer, plant axil, gutter, trash can, old rubber tire and etc.
Based on the data of PESU, the municipality of Matalam recorded the highest cases of dengue with 42 cases followed by Libungan and Kidapawan City with 40 cases each.
IPHO head Dr. Eva C. Rabaya said that the IPHO continues to intensify its drive against mosquito-related diseases and conduct intensive information-dissemination campaigns through rekoridas, social media, and enhanced 4S Strategy or the Search and Destroy, Seek Early Consultation, Self Protect Measures and Say Yes to Fogging only during Outbreaks.
“As of now, the IPHO and PESU do not only focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic but we are also monitoring the rise of dengue cases here in the province that affected thousands of individuals last year,” Rabaya said.
It can be recalled that due to the surge of dengue cases in Cotabato province last year, the provincial government through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has declared Cotabato province under state of calamity authorizing the former to utilize the quick response fund in purchasing fogging equipment and other materials needed in addressing dengue virus cases in the province.
Governor Nancy A. Catamco has directed the IPHO and other health care providers to be on the lookout for early detection of the deadly disease as it is vital in saving someone’s life.
She also urged all Cotabateños to practice 4-S campaign against dengue and seek early consultation especially when experiencing on and off fever that cannot be treated by ordinary medication for pain and fever.
“Everyone must be prime movers in controlling mosquito population to avoid any possible deaths within the community. We are still on our journey of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and let us not forget that we are playing a crucial role in ensuring that our respective communities are healthy and livable,” the governor said.//pgo-idcd//
