Malapit na ang Undas, sa kagat ng lamok, baka ka matodas

Contributed by Michael Angelo G. Baluyot, RN – Provincial Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit

Dengue Fever is one of the leading causes of vector borne diseases in the Philippines. In the Province of Bataan based on the Provincial Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit of the Bataan Provincial Health Office there were Two thousand one hundred thirty four (2134) reported suspected and probable Dengue cases as of 41^st morbidity week (covered period is January 1, 2016-October 15, 2016).

This number is 211% higher compared to the number of cases reported for the same period last year (1008 cases).  All 12 municipalities have reported cases of Dengue. Ages of cases ranged from <1 y/o to 78 years of age. Mostly affected age group is 6-15 years old whereas 55%  of the cases were males. During this covered period there were 8 reported deaths in the province.

The Provincial Health Office under the supervision of Dr. Rosanna M. Buccahan recognized this increased number of cases thus have continued the strategies and activities as recommended by the Department of Health in the prevention and control of Dengue. Among the strategies and advocacies implemented by the PHO are the ABKD(Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue); the 4 O’clock habit which states that we need to stop at 4 PM; Look inside and outside of our houses and do search and destroy; and Listen to Barangay officials for the proper ways of eliminating Dengue in our respective areas.

Information dissemination is being held by municipal and provincial teams to constantly remind the public of the dangers of Dengue and for hotspot areas with fatalities, larviciding, fogging and misting operations are being conducted by the Provincial Health Office to help reduce the number of cases in the province.