Public urged to seek early consultation vs dengue

By Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City- The City Health Office here is urging the public to seek early consultation if they have dengue symptoms.

This after the CHO noted an increase in dengue cases with four fatalities recorded for the month.

City Health Office Environment Sanitation Division Chief Dr. Grace Tan reminded residents to avoid, if possible, wading in flood waters.

She also encouraged using boots or gloves when coming in contact with possible contaminated water and use of prophylaxis medications within 24-48 hours or as soon as possible whenever exposed to contaminated water and seek early consultation or treatment whenever symptoms appear.

She added that Bacolod City dengue cases in May has increased compared to the same period last year, data from the Bacolod City Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (BCESU) showed.

Tan said the city tallied 115 dengue cases with four fatalities as of May 7, 2022.

This is a 57.5 percent increase compared to the reported 73 dengue cases with two deaths during the same period in 2021, she added.

BCESU data further indicated that Barangays Singcang and Estefania recorded the most number of cases with 14, followed by Barangays Mansilingan and Granada, 10; Mandalagan, nine; Sum-ag and Alijis, eight; Tangub, seven; Banago, five and Barangay Pahanocoy with four cases.

Most common breeding places for Aedis mosquitoes include collected or stored water inside and around homes, while late or refusal to seek early treament and consultation are reasons why patients fall ill with dengue, Tan explained.

She added they are continuing their campaign to combat dengue by encouraging Barangays to do enhanced 4S: Search and Destroy mosquito breeding sites; Secure self-protection measures; Seek early consultation and Support fogging.

Recorida and tri-media campaign, the distribution of larvicides and spraying and fogging in barangays and public places are also being rolled out, Tan continued.

Meanwhile, nine leptospirosis cases were recorded in the city as of May 7.

The report is 40 percent lower when compared to the same period last year with 15 cases and three deaths.

Barangay Villamonte has two cases, while Barangays 40, 16, Mandalagan, Singcang-Airport, Tangub, and Alijis and have one leptospirosis case each.