BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod urged Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia to implement interventions against dengue amid the increasing number of cases of the mosquito-borne disease.
As of June 22, Bacolod already posted 477 cases of the deadly viral disease, higher 65.1 percent compared to 289 cases in the same period last year, records from the City Health Office (CHO) showed.
Resolution proponent Councilor Simplicia Distrito said Leonardia must enjoin the CHO, City Environment Natural Resources Office and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to fight dengue.
According to Distrito, these offices should come up with intervention measures – like information and education campaign and de-clogging or fogging operations – to curb the number of dengue cases.
“We are in the rainy season as of the moment, thus prevention and mitigation programs should be done as soon as possible, considering that the abundance of rain results in a high population of mosquitoes, particularly the ones carrying the dengue virus,” said Distrito.
Despite the surge in the number of dengue cases, an outbreak cannot yet be declared in Bacolod, said CHO Environment and Sanitation Division head Grace Tan.
But Tan said Bacolodnons should still be wary and help the city government in preventing the spread of the disease.
She added that the CHO is already conducting an intensified anti-dengue information and education campaign.
“We also encourage barangays to initiate clean-up drives,” said Tan.
Dengue is a viral infection characterized by a high fever (40°C/104°F) accompanied by two of these symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, and swollen glands or rash, according to the World Health Organization.
The symptoms usually last for two to seven days. The virus’ incubation period lasts for four to 10 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector of dengue. The species lives in urban habitats and breeds mostly in man-made containers.
It is a day-time feeder – its peak biting periods are early in the morning and in the evening before dusk./PN
