DOH anti-dengue drive reaches barangay in Marikina

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday continued its anti-dengue campaign in Metro Manila, this time visiting various communities and schools in Barangay Parang in Marikina, a report on “Balitanghali” said.

The report said the DOH gave out and installed 40 insecticide treated screens at the Parang Elementary School. These screens will repel mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus.

Based on DOH data, there were 108,263 dengue cases recorded nationwide as of October 3, which was 31.9 percent higher than last year.

In a statement, DOH Secretary Janette Garin said the number of dengue cases this year may still increase due to the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Due to this, Garin said the public should practice the “4S”—Search and destroy, Self protection measure, Seek early consultation and Say yes to fogging—to combat dengue.

The DOH team also went around the communities in Barangay Parang to give the public some tips on how to avoid being infected by dengue.

Aside from this, Garin reminded those who will observe All Saint's Day to clean out pools of water in cemeteries which are natural breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

She said Code White alert will be active during the event for various health cases that may happen during the period.

The DOH is planning to distribute some 20,000 insecticide treated screens around the country particularly in dengue-hit places in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the National Capital Region.

The Department of Education, along with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, will also help in installing and maintaining the screens, which have an estimated five-year life span. —Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News