ABKD VS. DENGUE. Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado, says locals should take part in the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD)and other dengue brigades as it is one of the effective ways to prevent increase of dengue cases. (File photo)
ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (PHO) is urging village officials and residents to take part in the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) and dengue brigades to prevent the increase of cases.
“For the first quarter last year (January to March), we only recorded 216 cases. But this year, we have 1, 088. So that is 405 percent difference,” said PHO head, Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado, in an interview on Friday.
The province recorded four deaths in the first quarter this year, while zero death was recorded during the same period last year.
Passi City with 188 has the most number of dengue cases; followed by Calinog town with 68; and Pavia with 54.
Trabado said no local government unit in the province was spared from dengue cases for the first quarter this year.
Dengue patients were admitted to hospitals and Rural Health Units (RHUs), she said.
Based on the PHO data, dengue hit most of patients aged 1-10 years old with 565 cases.
Given the cases, Trabado urged the public to help in dengue prevention activities initiated by village officials.
Trabado said engaging in clean-up activities is one of effective efforts to reduce the dengue cases.
The ABKD which calls for daily clean-up drive and the 4S Strategy, which stands for “Search and Destroy” mosquito breeding places, “Secure Self Protection” from mosquito bite, “Seek Early Consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and “Say Yes to Fogging” as a last resort when there is a looming outbreak, should therefore be implemented, she said.
“Especially in the areas where clustering of cases happen,” she said, noting San Enrique, Banate, Bingawan, among others, as towns with clustering of cases.
Trabado said that residents must also store water properly.
“They should make sure that water containers are covered. They should also wash the containers as eggs of dengue-carrying mosquitoes stick to its edges,” she said. (PNA)
