Quezon City: The Department of Health-Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) has strengthened its efforts to combat dengue infections in schools and communities in observance of the Dengue Awareness Month this June. "Dengue prevention is a shared responsibility, and every member of the community has a role to play by maintaining cleanliness, participating in LGU (local government unit)-led clean-up activities, and ensuring timely medical consultation if anyone experiences dengue symptoms," Regional Director Lester Tan said during a ceremonial activity at the Esteban Abada Elementary School in Quezon City on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the four key actions - "Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, at Takip" (overturned, shake, dry, and cover) - serve as a simple and proven effective way to reduce mosquito-breeding sites and minimize the risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne disease transmission. A recent report from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit showed that a total of 19,083 dengue cases have been reported in the National Capital Region (NCR) from Jan. 1 to May 17. This reflects a 224-percent increase compared to the 5,889 cases logged for the same period last year. The majority of the cases were school-aged children, with a 0.27-percent case fatality rate.
Dengue is a virus transmitted to humans through infected Aedes mosquitoes. In preparation for the opening of classes and the rainy season, the activity at the Esteban Abada Elementary School included the ceremonial installation of Insecticide Treated Screen (ITS) and Ovitraps in selected classrooms, aiming to minimize the breeding and presence of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. The ITS are designed to repel and kill mosquitoes on contact, while Ovitraps attract and trap mosquito eggs, reducing mosquito populations in and around school premises.
Targeted indoor and outdoor residual spraying was also conducted to demonstrate the strategic application of insecticides in areas prone to mosquito breeding. The DOH collaborated with the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the local government of Quezon City for this initiative.
