CLEANUP. Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) personnel during their dengue awareness campaign in Tobias Fornier, Antique on June 20, 2024. Dr. Cara Uy, Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Medical Specialist II, said in an interview Friday (July 12, 2024) they are urging the public to increase their efforts to protect themselves from dengue and leptospirosis during the rainy season. (Photo courtesy of Antique IPHO)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique - Antiqueños were urged to double their efforts to protect themselves as the province recorded an uptick in dengue and leptospirosis cases amid the onset of the rainy season.
Dr. Cara Uy, Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Medical Specialist II, asked the public not to be complacent and must continue cleaning their surroundings to protect themselves from these two illnesses.
As of July 6, Uy said the province has recorded 403 cases of dengue with one death compared to 326 cases with no death during the same period last year.
There were 42 recorded cases of leptospirosis with three deaths as of July 11, higher than the 11 cases with two deaths during the same period last year.
The three municipalities with the highest dengue cases this year are Sibalom with 70; Caluya, 67; and Tibiao with 59.
“If our environment is clean, we can prevent the increase of dengue and leptospirosis,” Uy said.
She said that with the onset of the rainy season and the opening of classes for both private and public schools this month, the IPHO is reminding the public, particularly the parents, to increase their efforts to protect their children through the 4S strategy (Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, employ Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, Support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas).
She said the IPHO has already distributed mosquito screens to various schools in Antique so that learners will be protected from dengue while they are in school.
Uy said that for self-protection measures, parents are being advised to have their children wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and use mosquito repellent even in school. (PNA)
