Fight against dengue in Pampanga intensified

• Source:http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/24449/Volume-9-No-68/Headlines/Fight-against-dengue-in-Pampanga-intensified
• Sunday, February 7, 2016

By Aida Baybayan Bungue (Pamp PIO)

City of San Fernando – Dr. Antonio “Jay” Rivera, officer –in-charge of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) assured the intensification of the fight against dengue in Pampanga as the provincial government under Governor Lilia Pineda formulated more effective “Dengue Prevention and Control Program” for this year.

“There is really a need for us to cooperate and be always on the go and alert in combating the dengue virus carried by mosquitoes. Dengue is deadly. We must be serious and more focused,” said Dr. Rivera.

The PHO executive urged all Cabalens to practice cleanliness, orderliness inside and outside of their houses as mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus hibernate in watery and dirty places. “

We need also to implement curative measures and services to prevent the people, especially the children to be victims of the said deadly virus,” the PHO said.

As this developed, the PHO announced that from January to June, the provincial government will effect the immediate purchase of mist blower, personal protection equipment (PPE) and thermometers which are necessary in the fight against dengue.

The Department of Health (DOH) through the PHO and municipal health offices will also provide two-day training of barangay task force on basic integrated vector management (IVM) and actual dengue vector surveillance (DVS) –per municipality starting this month until May. DVS will be conducted simultaneously in the whole province and this will be monitored closely in public elementary school to assure the safety of pupils prone to dengue virus.

The health department will also carry out the installation of long lasting insecticide treated curtains (LLITC) in Guagua, Lubao and San Luis, Angeles City, Mabalacat City, this city and in other municipalities with provincial program implementation review (PIR).

The DOH and PHO tapped the direct support of the rural health units and district hospitals as lead implementers of dengue prevention and control program.

PHO official said “BRIGADA ESKWELA” plays an important role in the dengue prevention and control program that would start on May before the school year begins. “Through Brigada Eskwela, the parents of the students help in cleaning and fixing the classroom and the school premises,” PHO said.

Last year, the PHO recorded a total of 9,829 dengue cases from January to December 31 . This is 78% higher than the same period in 2014.

It was also learned that Angeles City has the highest number of dengue cases with one dead followed by the City of San Fernando.