WHO's got the last word on dengue

It appears that the threat of contracting Dengue Fever (DF) is part and parcel of living in a developing tropical country. Unknown to many Filipinos (this writer included), DF was first identified in the 1950s during an outbreak of the virus in the Philippines and Thailand.

World Health Organization (WHO) data reveals that two decades after its discovery, nine countries have already experienced DF epidemics. Sadly, the numbers just keep on rising.

According to the WHO, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (a complication of DF) is now a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children across the globe.

In the Philippines alone, the Department of Health (DOH) has recorded over 84,000 dengue cases since the start of 2010. More than 500 cases have been fatal.

At present, since there is no vaccine or cure for DF/DHF, experts maintain that the key to stemming the ever-rising tide, is vector control. In other words, the only way to prevent dengue is by controlling the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which transmits this virulent disease.

A report of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the Best Practices for Dengue Prevention and Control reads, “Larval habitats are increasing in urban areas at an alarming rate. This is primarily due to the high costs of running community pest control programs; increased urbanization; the widespread use of non-biodegradable items; a lack of adequate trash disposal and sanitary landfill systems; and governments struggling with unplanned growth.”

Control of larval habitats, according to the USAID, would significantly reduce the adult mosquito population, effectively decreasing disease transmission.

From my stand, until such time when these insects are contained, we all need to take precautions within our own homes.

For starters, make sure that everyone in your household is aware of the 4S campaign — Search and destroy (mosquito breeding grounds); Self-protective measures (apply mosquito repellant); Seek early treatment (if you suspect that you or any member of your household may have DF); and Say no to indiscriminate fogging (use only organic insecticide).

Be vigilant within your neighborhood and workplace. If you have young children or grandchildren, make it a point to find out what the school is doing to keep them safe from dengue.

It is also extremely important to remember that the WHO has warned against the use of ibuprofen or aspirin to relieve fever that may be caused by dengue. These drugs will exacerbate bleeding and accelerate a drop in platelet count if the patient is indeed positive for Dengue.

The WHO has advised that Paracetamol is the only option for fever that may be caused by dengue. With DF still on the rise, be safe, especially if your children or grandchildren have fever. Use only Paracetamol. Medical research reveals that 15mg of Paracetamol per kilogram of body weight is the most effective measure for fast fever relief.

With a host of fever medication available over drugstore counters today, weigh your options — check for precise dosage instruction by weight (this should be indicated on the bottle and packaging); and determine if the formulation is 15mg/kg.

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Some of the most respected and admired men and women of the country support President Noynoy for his taking a firm pro-choice position on family planning and responsible parenthood. These leaders have written a letter to the President stating that while the debate on the need for reproductive health services rages, “each day . . . 11 mothers die, leaving behind some 30 children motherless, and putting the lives of their newborn infants at risk as well.”

The signatories are led by Eminent Persons — former President Fidel Ramos, former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, Washington Z. Sycip, Mercedes B. Concepcion, Oscar M. Lopez and Loida Nicolas Lewis. The other signatories include former Sen. Leticia Ramos Shahani, former Health Secretary Alberto G. Romualdez Jr., Peter L. Wallace, Felipe M. Medalla, Corazon M. Raymundo, Eden R. Divinagracia, former Health Secretary Jaime Z. Galvez-Tan, former Finance Secretary Margarito M. Teves, and Population Commission head Tomas M. Osias.

The group of signatories makes up the Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), an NGO established in 2004 which strongly advocates a population and development policy that puts reproductive health rights as a key element in development, thereby ensuring improved health and quality of lives among Filipinos. The Forum president is Ben de Leon.

In their letter, the signatories emphasized that the State has the obligation of providing reproductive health services and information, based on the government’s commitment to international human rights agreements.

Their letter is as follows:

“In 1994, the Philippines joined 178 other nations in Cairo, Egypt for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The conference put the individual’s rights and needs at the center of its 20-year Programme of Action rather than achieving demographic targets. Nations also agreed that population and sustainable development are inextricably linked and committed to save the lives of women who die unnecessarily during pregnancy and childbirth. It advocated to make family planning universally available by 2015.

 “Again, at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Philippines was one of the 189 countries that adopted the Millennium Development Goals, which calls for the reduction of maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health by 2015.

“With just five years to 2015 it is unfortunate that we continue to debate on the reproductive health issue. It is unfortunate that attempts to enact a law that could accelerate the country’s efforts to reduce maternal deaths and provide Filipino women and their families a better opportunity to improve their lives remains a dream.

“While people are debating whether family planning is moral or immoral and whether government funding for contraceptives is right or wrong, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies is being left out.

“Each day that the debates continue, 11 mothers die, leaving behind some 30 children motherless everyday, and putting the lives of their newborn infants at risk as well.

“They have spoken in surveys borne out by the prestigious Social Weather Stations and the Pulse Asia. They want a law that would institute a family planning program providing couples information, services and commodities as well as a budget that would help them plan the size of their family and the spacing of their children.

“They have spoken during the elections. Despite the Roman Catholic Church’s aggressive campaign against pro-RH candidates, the Filipino people — most of whom are Catholics — elected these candidates, including a President who has expressed his pro-choice stance on family planning.

“It is about time that we heed the voice of the people. The reproductive health issue is not just about sex and contraceptives. More than anything, it is about saving the lives of mothers; mothers who make up the very fabric of society; the women who bore us. Saving lives should be a concern not only of lay people, but more so of the people who preach about the value of life.

 “We are for the quality of our population which heretofore our country will be most proud of.

 “Mr. President, we are one with you in your unequivocal support for families who want information and services on family planning and responsible parenthood. Likewise, we agree that neither the state nor religion should dictate the kind of family planning method once couples or individuals have decided to plan their families based on proper information.”

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