Legazpi city: The city government is stepping up efforts at the barangay level to combat dengue during the rainy season by deploying barangay health workers (BHWs). These workers are tasked with monitoring household water storage and encouraging residents to eliminate stagnant water and securely cover water containers.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Hisham Ismail shared in a phone interview that the dry conditions have led residents to store water in drums and other containers, many of which remain uncovered, creating potential breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. Ismail emphasized the importance of involving BHWs in monitoring water storage practices at the barangay level.
He appealed to residents to ensure that their water containers, whether sourced from rain or faucets, are properly covered to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Ismail stressed that dengue prevention is a collective effort, highlighting that the city government alone cannot address the issue across its 70 barangays and vast geographical area. He pointed out that mosquito breeding sites in one household can endanger neighboring communities, making proper water storage and regular cleanup a shared duty.
Furthermore, Dr. Francis Gerald Gomez, head of the Legazpi City Health Office (CHO), stated that the city is conducting barangay advocacy activities and collaborating with barangay officials to enhance regular cleanup campaigns. Gomez mentioned the coordination with barangays for daily cleanup drives to effectively eliminate dengue breeding grounds.
He noted that fogging operations alone are insufficient to manage dengue since they primarily target adult mosquitoes and do not eliminate larvae thriving in stagnant water. He urged residents to routinely inspect their surroundings and remove stagnant water from tires, cans, containers, and other potential mosquito breeding locations.
The CHO reported two confirmed dengue cases from January to August 11 this year, with no confirmed cases last year, although there were 90 suspected and probable cases. Gomez added that the city is enhancing disease reporting and public information initiatives to provide residents with timely information on dengue prevention. The city health office called on residents to make the elimination of stagnant water a regular household practice to help curb the spread of dengue.
