Dengue fever is the most important mosquito-borne viral disease in the world It is considered as the most common arbovirus infection globally, with transmission occurring in at least 128 countries and almost 4 billion people at risk.
In Puerto Princesa City this year, Barangay Sta. Monica is the barangay which has the highest number of dengue cases
As of this writing, the City Health Office (CHO) has recorded a total of 14 mortality caused by dengue. From January 2022-October 15, 2022, they reported 429 dengue cases in the city.
In an effort to avert the increasing number of dengue cases, the CHO set up dengue fast lane at the City Coliseum to conduct test and laboratories, free consultation and blood examination to suspected dengue patients. They are also conducting fogging and misting operations to identified areas to avert the spread of mosquitoes.
Based on the data from Vector Borne MIMAROPA Barangay Sta. Monica has the highest number of dengue cases among the identified 10 urban barangays. Sta. Monica was followed by San Pedro, San Miguel, San Jose, Sicsican, Bancao-Bancao, Maunlad, Tinuguiban, San Manuel, and Mandaragat.
Studies said that the transmission of dengue viruses is influenced by population growth, urbanization, inadequate public health infrastructure, poor solid waste management, environmental risk factors and inconsistent preventive practices, among others.
In the local level, improper disposal of wastewater, poor drainage, bamboo locally known as buho as fence, and poor sanitation created stagnant water and allow mosquitoes to multiply in these breeding grounds.
To significantly reduce dengue cases in the locality, a more proactive and aggressive campaign is needed. The public and the stakeholders support is necessary most especially the academe, business sector, and the community in general.
There is no known cure for dengue but lives can be saved with early detection and optimal management.
Addressing dengue requires a whole-of-society approach. This highlights the importance of improved case surveillance and early diagnosis, cooperation between public and private sectors, and responsible health communication.
Broadening the fight against dengue can be achieved by looking into other major factors that caused its spread like the aspects of stagnant water. In many areas in the locality, stagnant waters caused by either rain, flood, and wastewater exists while people living near these stagnant water pool simply ignore them.
It is timely to declare stagnant water pool and other forms of stagnant water as public nuisance and consider as an offense, and establish procedures on how to abate the nuisance. Or else, the dengue problem will persist in the years to come.
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