DOH sets preventive measures to curb dengue outbreak in Zamboanga City

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it is now coordinating with regional health and government offices in Zamboanga City following a  declaration of a dengue outbreak in the area as preventive measures have been set in place to fight the disease.

In a statement, the DOH said its Center for Health Development in Zamboanga and its Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) is closely coordinating to curb the outbreak of dengue cases in Region 9.

“DOH and the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the area, including Zamboanga City's City Health Office are implementing protocols according to the most recent available epidemiologic data. These include dengue preventive measures meant to stop the disease vector, which is the Aedes aegypti mosquito,” the Health Department said.

The dengue cases in Zamboanga City have reached 893, including 11 deaths, from January 1 to April 2, according to the city government.

They said 85 dengue cases were recorded for morbidity week 13, which was 963% higher from the same period in 2021.

The DOH said there are dengue fast lanes and separate rooms in hospitals for those who will fall ill because of the disease. Insecticide treated curtains and screens are also used in health facilities of the region.

“The DOH calls on the public to be vigilant and take extra care with ensuring a clean and dry household vicinity to prevent possible breeding grounds of these mosquitos. The public is further advised to follow the 4S against Dengue,” they said.

This 4S, the DOH noted, is Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites; Self-protection measures; Seek early consultation of symptoms; and Support spraying or fogging to prevent further outbreaks. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA News