ILOILO — Dengue remains a year-round health threat in Western Visayas, with prolonged dry spells potentially triggering outbreaks.
Improperly stored household water becomes a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes, the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 warned.
It urged residents to remain vigilant against dengue even outside the rainy season and seek immediate medical attention at the first signs of infection to prevent potentially fatal complications.
Water shortages during extended dry periods often prompt households to store water in drums, pails and other containers, which can become breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes when left uncovered or uncleaned.
The mosquito species transmits dengue and chikungunya, making proper household water storage and sanitation essential in preventing outbreaks.
DOH-6 emphasized that dengue should never be mistaken for an ordinary fever, warning that delayed medical consultation increases the risk of severe complications and death.
Early symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, intense muscle and joint pain, and generalized body weakness.
Patients experiencing these symptoms were advised to rest, stay hydrated and closely monitor their temperature while avoiding self-medication with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen.
The appearance of skin rashes, red spots, persistent nausea and repeated vomiting should prompt immediate consultation at the nearest barangay health station or rural health unit (RHU).
More serious warning signs, including fever lasting more than two days, nosebleeds, bleeding gums and extreme lethargy, require urgent medical evaluation.
The DOH stressed that early diagnosis and timely medical intervention are crucial in preventing dengue-related deaths.
Health centers and RHUs across Western Visayas are equipped to evaluate suspected dengue cases and conduct necessary blood examinations.
To prevent mosquito breeding, DOH-6 urged households to tightly cover water storage containers and scrub their inner walls weekly to remove mosquito eggs.
Residents were also advised to replace water in flower vases, plant containers and pet bowls every seven days and eliminate stagnant water in discarded tires, clogged gutters, empty cans and other potential breeding sites.
The agency reiterated that dengue prevention requires consistent household sanitation regardless of weather conditions, particularly during dry spells when water storage becomes necessary./PN
