LGUs mobilized vs. dengue

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
August 22, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  With the reported rise in dengue fever cases in the country, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo called on all local chief executives to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its effort to contain the spread of the disease.

Robredo said there was a need for coordinated efforts among all concerned national government agencies and local government units to lessen the prevalence of the mosquito-borne disease.

Robredo issued Memorandum Circular 2010-78 last August 17 to all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays calling for intensified information and education campaign on dengue fever and appropriate preventive and control measures.

He said local executives should enforce environmental sanitation such as dredging of clogged canals, esteros and other waterways; pruning thick bushes or tree branches; and removal or draining of receptacles containing stagnant water.

He also reminded local officials not to conduct indiscriminate fogging unless there was an outbreak of the disease in their areas.

DILG-8 Regional Director Francisco C. Jose appealed for local officials to coordinate with health authorities and take the lead in informing their constituents of ways to rid their surroundings of birthing places of mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.

In Eastern Visayas, at least 5,090 dengue cases have been reported by end of July, with 65 deaths.  In Tacloban City alone there have been 1,279 reported cases with 19 deaths.  However all other towns and cities in the region have not been spared, with children the common victims.

The public should undertake self-protection measures such as wearing long-sleeved shirts, and pants and using mosquito nets at night and repellants during daytime. They should immediately consult a doctor in case they are experiencing symptoms of the disease,” said Secretary Robredo.

Some of the symptoms of dengue are sudden onset of high fever which may last from 2 to 7 days; joint and muscle pains including pain behind the eyes; weakness; skin rashes; nosebleeding; abdominal pain; vomiting of coffee-colored matter ;and having  dark-colored stools.