DOH-ARMM issues advisory on dengue, other diseases

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=890711
• Wednesday, June 1, 2016

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 1 (PNA) -- As the rainy season officially begins, the Department of Health of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has advised today residents in the region to take precautionary measures against dengue and water-borne diseases.

According to Christine Joy Capin, DOH-ARMM assistant program coordinator for dengue prevention and control and food and water-borne diseases, said the region normally sees a rise in the number of dengue cases during the rainy season.

Based on that observations, DOH-ARMM has started taking steps to reduce the number of dengue infection this year.

“Residents should observe different measures to combat the spread of the disease," Capin said in a statement.

"Some of the things they should do includes drying stagnant waters in the house, cleaning their roof gutters, immediately seek medical assistance when fever lasts for at least two days, and using insect repellant and wearing long sleeve shirts,” Capin added.

She said the DOH-ARMM is currently conducting an extensive information drive in schools and communities in the region to help minimize the number of dengue cases.

She said health providers down to the barangay level have been encouraging residents to observe the “4S” mechanism in dengue prevention and control.

The “4S” means: Search and destroy; Seek immediate action; Say no to indiscriminate fogging; and Self-protection measures.

Dengue is an acute viral infection acquired from the bite of a female "Aedes Aegypti" mosquito.

This fatal disease usually affects infants and children in tropical and subtropical countries like the Philippines. Its signs and symptoms include fever which extends from 2-7 days, skin flushing, loss of appetite, vomiting, and in severe cases, nose bleeding and bleeding of gums.

During the first quarter this year, DOH-ARMM reported one dengue death and 78 affected by this viral disease across the region composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Compared to last year, Capin said the number is significantly lower. In the first quarter of 2015, 487 dengue cases with five fatalities were reported. DOH-ARMM recorded a total of 2,376 cases with 24 deaths across the region in 2015.

Marawi City recorded the highest number of cases with 758 followed by Maguindanao province with 614 cases.

Capin also cautioned residents against common water-borne diseases like diarrhea, amoebiasis, hepatitis A, and cholera. She added that cold and cough are also very common during the rainy season.

To help prevent the water borne diseases, Capin advised the residents to observe cleanliness and vigilance against possible diseases.

Regular washing of hands before and after meals as well as after using the comfort rooms, will help prevent any disease.

She also advised the locals to wash food that they take outside meals like fruits and vegetables.