CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga(PIA) –After a relatively quiet dengue situation here, the City Health Office (CHO)recently alerted the public on the sudden rise in dengue cases with one death.
Delma Gulingan of the CHO reported new 19 cases and one death last month bringing to 269 the dengue cases recorded in the city from January-August this year.
Gulingan clarified though that the number of cases this year is way lower than last year’s 1,821 cases with three deaths when the city local government declared a dengue outbreak.
Health authorities here attributed the recent spike in dengue cases to constant rains during the period.
In a related report, Gulingan disclosed eight suspect cases of chikungunya or dengue.
As a preventive measure, the CHO called on barangays to intensify the “4S” drive against mosquito borne diseases. It includes search and destroy mosquito breeding places, seek early consultation, secure self-protection, and support anti-dengue fogging or spraying operations when necessary.
Prevention campaigns were launched urging communities to conduct aggressive control drives such as “Oplan Pattog” by eradicating mosquito breeding sites.
Residents are enjoined to clean their surroundings and clear canals and waterways to prevent stagnant waters where mosquitoes could breed. **JDP/LL-PIA CAR, Kalinga