DOH-Negros team helps Balamban fight dengue

CEBU, Philippines - A team from the Department of Health-Negros Oriental primarily tasked to fight against malaria is now in Cebu to conduct preventive measures against dengue in the town of Balamban following the death of two children and the admission of 25 others to the hospital.

Dr. Dino Caing, Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit-7 medical chief, said the target of the team is to destroy the breeding place of dengue-carrying mosquitoes in the area.

“The Malaria team is spraying the hubs of the mosquitoes while our team here (DOH-7) is also busy with the other case (typhoid) in Sogod town,” Caing said.

One patient suffering from dengue has been referred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for further treatment while others are closely monitored at the Balamban Provincial Hospital.

RESU-7 immediately deployed a team to Barangay Buanoy, Balamban to investigate dengue cases, two of which had caused the death of two 7-year-old children from Barangays Aliwanay and Pondol.

“Duna ta’y i-monitor nga mga lugar kay ang lamok ra ba mulupad from place to place pero di pa nato mahatag kung unsa ning mga lugara kay sa pagkakaron ongoing pa man ang monitoring,” he said.

Caing said that it is the job of those in the community to check their areas to prevent the diseases.

“Ingon aning ting-uwan naa gyud ning mga kasoha duna lang gyu’y uban nga mga gahi’g ulo nga di pud manglimpyo,” he said, adding that open containers should be covered, stagnant water due to poor drainage system must be cleaned, and the use of mosquito nets and insect repellants are advised.

Balamban Mayor Ace Binghay has been leading the campaign against dengue in his town and has been monitoring those who are still in the hospital.

“Kung dunay mahilantan gipadritso na nako sa health center o sa hospital aron ma-check-up pero duna pa’y uban nga gahi kaayo,” Binghay said

He said that residents who are suffering from fever for three days are advised to immediately submit themselves for checkup.

He also asked town employees and personnel from the 78th Infantry Battalion to donate blood just in case there is a need for it.

Symptoms of dengue include high fever accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms— headaches, eye pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, joint, bone or muscle pains, and rashes. — Ria Mae Y. Booc/ATO (FREEMAN)