Sec. Lapus pushes 4S in battle versus dengue

Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has ordered the proper dissemination of information on the prevention of dengue in schools nationwide.

In his Memorandum No. 414, Lapus announced the 4S strategy in the fight against dengue in schools. The 4S strategy are search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; seek early treatment; self-protection; and say no to indiscriminate fogging.

"The regions with the highest number of dengue cases are found in the National Capital Region with a total of 6,608, Region 3 with 5,016, Region 7 with 2,283, Region 1 with 1,585 and the Cordillera Administrative Region with a total of 1,307," he said in his memorandum.

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is an acute infectious viral disease that usually affects infants and children. It is characterized by fever and other symptoms like headache, pain in the eye, and joint and muscle pains in the initial phase.

On its second phase, bleeding is seen on the nose and gums. If blood is present in the stool or in the vomitus and is accompanied by shock, this is called Dengue Shock Syndrome, which is often fatal.

Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear water containers, such as flower vases, cans, rain barrels and old rubber tires. It can also be breed in gutters. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.

The DepEd leadership ordered school officials nationwide to continuously mobilize school health and nutrition personnel to conduct advocacy activities and sustain the cleanup campaigns to decrease the mosquito population. - Jasmin R. Uy/LPM