Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have been advised to reactivate their respective dengue task forces as the province continues to log the highest number of cases of the mosquito-borne disease in Western Visayas.
Data released by the Department of Health (DOH) 6 (Western Visayas) on Monday showed Negros Occidental logged 2,445 dengue cases from January 1 to July 16, higher by 910 percent compared to the 221 cases recorded during the same period in 2021.
From July 10 to 16 alone, 230 new cases have been reported in the province.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in a virtual meeting on July 22, that he has spoken with city and municipal health officers to discuss their efforts against dengue.
“We reminded them to activate the task force on dengue, which will be the main body that will address the situation,” he said.
“I can say they did not lack preparations. As early as January, the awareness campaign was already there. The LGUs also have a budget although there are municipalities that have minimal funds but they also said they received assistance from the province.”
Lacson said he told the local health officers that he would ask the mayors to allot a budget for dengue every year.
As more rains are expected in August and September, he also raised the possibility of an increase in the number of cases.
He, however, noted that data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed a downward trend among the top 10 LGUs with the highest number of dengue cases.
“With the push to address dengue, we hope to control the increase in cases,” Lacson said.
On July 26, the PHO will launch the “Sabayang 4-5 sa Negros Occidental” in Kabankalan City, which has among the highest dengue cases in the province.
The activity is part of the DOH-6’s “SaBAYANg 4,5,6” campaign for the adoption of the “4S” strategy led by five teams in the LGUs and barangays across Western Visayas.
“4S” means “search and destroy,” “self-protection measures,” “seeking early consultation,” and “support fogging/spraying
Source: Philippines News Agency
