By Ric Obedencio |06:27 PM August 16, 2024
The province of Bohol is suffering from dengue disease posting a total of 4,484 cases being reported by different diseases reporting units (DRUs) for the period January 1 to August 10, 2024, according to the Provincial Health Office’s Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PHO-PESU).
With these figures, there are now 13 deaths, Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez of the PHO said in a press conference in Capitol Repots this morning.
“This is 361.8% higher compared to the same period of last year with 971 cases, 2 deaths,” PESU said in its report.
Of the total (4,484) cases, 2,560 are confirmed; 1,158, probable; and 766, suspected.
The top 10 of 47 towns and one city with dengue cases are: Inabanga with 517 cases; Tagbilaran City, 411; Ubay, 223; Getafe, 201; Talibon, 193; Buenavista, 167; Tubigon, 167; Jagna, 143; Panglao, 133; and Dauis, 130.
Lopez said this may not an outbreak, yet, since there are technical measures to follow to declare the province as such.
But there are now two local government units that may qualify for an outbreak. The names of the towns have yet to be divulged. In this case, only the municipal mayor may declare such situation when the Department of Health recommends it as a matter of policy, he said.
Lopez stressed that immediate response will be implemented by urging the family with a patient of suspected dengue to consult the doctor and don’t let wait for days for monitoring of the symptoms, like headache.
He also bared that every purok of the barangay thru the barangay health workers (BHWs) will be tapped to help enforce the “fever monitoring” scheme to prevent the suspected dengue patient from dehydration.
He explained that once a dengue virus enters the bloodstream, it will destroy the wall of the blood vessels and the plasma, thus, caused to dehydration.
Health officials here urged every household to continue the practice the 4S strategy to prevent dengue. The 4S are searching/destroy identified mosquito breeding places, secure self-protection, seeking early consultation and supporting fogging/spraying hotspots places.
As this developed, Governor Aris Aumentado issued the Memorandum Circular on August 15, urging LGUs to reactivate their respective Anti dengue task force and rallying for a simultaneous clean-up drive to get rid of the dengue breeding places. (rvo)
