By: Amor Y. Saludar
Central Visayas, May 21 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH-7) in Central Visayas reminds the public that proper hygiene and clean surroundings remain to be the strong weapon against dengue.
In a recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO 7) forum DOH-7 regional director Dr. Jaime Bernadas said that medicines will only supplement proper hygiene and clean environment as defense mechanism against dengue.
DOH 7 records showed that in Central Visayas for the period January to May 2014 there are about 1,150 dengue cases and 5 deaths due to dengue that were recorded. This is 81.7% lower compared to the same period of last year with 6,294 cases and 21 deaths.
“First line of defense against dengue is really proper hygiene, clean environment, avoid stagnant water, water storage must be keep close, we should practice cleanliness everyday,” Bernadas stressed.
“Dengue is always in our midst we have to be vigilant to be prevent this,” he said.
He said that as of this time there are no specific medicines for dengue, although at present there are vaccination under clinical trials/tests but this has to undergo many processes that would meet the requirement to treat dengue in its different stages.
In this regard DOH-7 then intensified its Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) campaign, a collaborative effort of LGUs, local health workers and DOH personnel to initiate clean-up activities in the barangay.
Bernadas said that the ABKD campaign should be continued because this has proven to be effective as dengue cases in Central Visayas continue to decrease from 2012-2014. (mbcn/AYS/PIA 7)