Dengue cases in Catanduanes this 2023 have jumped by an astounding 702 percent compared to the previous year, the Provincial Health Office disclosed last week as it called on the public to observe the “4S” protocol against viral infection.
In her report during the 10th Joint Monthly Meeting of the Provincial Health Board and the PHO Technical Management Committee, Ma. Daisy Flores of the Provincial Epidemiological Surveillance Unit bared that from Jan. 1 to Nov. 24, 2023, health officials recorded a total of 281 dengue cases, an increase of 246 cases over the minimal 35 recorded during the same period last year.
The capital town of Virac accounted for 144 or 51 percent of the cases, followed by San Miguel with 27 and Bato with 26. The other cases are in Baras (19), San Andres (17), Caramoran (11), Bagamanoc (10), Gigmoto (8), Pandan (7), Panganiban (7) and Viga (5).
In Virac, majority of the cases were found in Gogon Centro (16), with the only other barangays with multiple cases Calatagan Proper and San Isidro Village with 10 each.
Fourteen (14) of the dengue cases in Gogon Centro were recorded in just the past six weeks, the PESU report stated, representing nearly half of the 33 new cases for the same period.
Of the village’s total 16 cases, nearly half (7) are aged six- to nine-years-old, with the oldest 23 and the two youngest four to seven months old.
Accompanied by a team from the DOH Center for Health Development (CHD) Bicol, Engineer II Leo Armand Gapaz and Sanitation Inspector IV Jose Mari Amaranto conducted an Environmental Sanitation Survey of Gogon Centro last Oct. 26.
The teams observed the presence of breeding sites of dengue vectors in one of the houses in Purok 1, with the mosquito larvae reportedly intended for the feeding of aquarium fish.
The entomologic study also determined that the areas covered are dengue sensitive or at high risk for the viral infection.
Purok 1 has been tagged as a dengue hotspot due to an increase in the number of cases for two consecutive weeks while clustering of cases has been noted in nearby Purok 2.
The other weekend, fogging operations began at the affected residential blocks last Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, with the Rural Health Unit providing four fogging machines and chemicals.
Dengue fever is an infection caused by a virus carried by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, with the four types capable of inducing fever as well as fever with bleeding or dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Among the symptoms of dengue are the sudden onset of fever, splitting headache, pain at the back of the eyes, body and muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and skin rash. Dengue could lead to death if not treated early.
The Department of Health has called on the public to follow the “4S” protocol, which stands for Search and destruction of mosquito-breeding sites; Self-protection measures by wearing long pants and sleeves; Seeking early consultation; and Support for fogging or spraying.
It also urged residents to observe the 4 o’clock habit to search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes inside their homes, workplaces or schools.
Local government units have been urged to follow and implement policies and procedures to prevent the spread of dengue.