By PIMO | 09:30 PM September 03, 2024
Bohol races to control a dengue surge and may declare a state of calamity as cases spike based on the cumulative data this year.
The Provincial Anti-Dengue Task Force, as agreed upon on August 29, recommended through a resolution for Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado to declare a dengue outbreak in the province.
This was reported in the task force’s meeting on Monday, September 2, at the Capitol, which revealed 5,839 dengue cases from January this year until August 24, with 14 deaths.
The current record is 451.4% higher compared to the same period of last year, with only 971 cases, thus surpassing the epidemic threshold as reported by the Provincial Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (Pesu).
The epidemic threshold is the level at which the number of dengue cases exceeds the average number from the last five years, signaling the onset of an epidemic in Bohol.
Based on Pesu’s report, 24 towns in the province are already qualified to declare the outbreak, while several towns are potential outbreaks.
Towns above the epidemic threshold as of morbidity week 34 are Anda, Alicia, Baclayon, Balilihan, Candijay, Dauis, Garcia Hernandez, Getafe, Inabanga, Mabini, Maribojoc, San Isidro, Sikatuna, Tagbilaran City, Talibon, Trinidad, and Tubigon.
The data was also backed up by the Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit’s report with Bohol’s consolidated data, in which the epidemic threshold has exceeded for the past 6 morbidity weeks.
This comprised 8 deaths recorded in August alone: 3 in Tagbilaran City, 2 in Inabanga, and 1 each in Anda, Getafe, and Ubay.
“If you look at the numbers, it seems like it’s already decreasing pero it’s too early to say nga effective ang current action because it’s just a week nga ni-decrease. We cannot still say that the trend will hold,” said Dr. Van Philipp Baton of the Department of Health.
“Our efforts should be sustained, cutting across everyone’s concern that we should do what we have to do to sustain (the decreasing number), Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte added.
Moreover, Aumentado assured that the Provincial Government, through the Provincial Health Office, has taken necessary actions to combat the rising dengue cases.
“Kami nangandam gyud mi (og procure) ug IV fluids ug mga dengue testing kits para gyud nga atong ma-protektahan ang mga tawo,” Aumentado told in a quick interview.
To further deliver accessible health services, as aligned with Capitol’s Strategic Change Agenda, the Provincial Government procured 5.3 million pesos worth of IV fluids and testing kits, specifically for the dengue outbreak, along with additional beds to capacitate province-owned hospitals in Bohol.
Procured supplies were already distributed and available as confirmed by district hospital chiefs in Talibon and Carmen.
With the upcoming declaration of the dengue outbreak, the local government units are expected to implement measures, including the enhanced 4S Strategy, reactivation of their local task force and Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue, and collaborations with various stakeholders.
Other expected measures are the search and destruction of mosquito breeding sites, dengue fast lanes in health units and hospitals, proper referral of patients, fund allocation for supplies for dengue prevention, and establishment of local operations centers. (PiMO/JSS)
