Cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Iloilo City have increased amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Data from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) showed that the city logged 218 dengue cases from January to July 24, 2021, 14 percent higher compared to 191 cases in the same period a year ago.
Mandurriao district had the most number of cases with 41, followed by Jaro with 40; La Paz, 37; Molo, 31; City Proper, 29; Arevalo, 27; and Lapuz, 13.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said there is a need for strengthened safety and preventive measures to combat the deadly mosquito-borne disease.
He called on Ilonggos to join anti-dengue massive cleanup operations to get rid of breeding places of mosquitoes.
The city government also urged public to practice daily the 4S Strategy: search and destroy, self-protection measure, seek early consultation when symptomatic and say “yes” fogging in identified areas.
The City Health Office (CHO) will also distribute larvicide to kill mosquito larvae living in stagnant water in the villages.
Treñas said the role of the barangay captains both in the dengue and COVID campaign is vital.
“During this rainy season, the threat of Dengue is rising. While we are battling the unseen enemy, we also cannot turn a blind eye to the little armies that can cause a wide spectrum of diseases,” he said.
“We had a Zoom meeting with our barangay captains to help us in our campaign against Dengue and the Delta variant for the safety of the community,” the mayor further said.IMT
