4th Denguerra Thursday goes on
Despite dark clouds threatening to drop as heavy rain, city employees joined barangay officials and volunteers in the fourth Thursday (July 14) of Denguerra (War against Dengue), in barangays infested with Dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes Aedes aegypti.
An intensive search and destroy activity, they emptied and overturned containers, cans, bottles and receptacles which may turn to be breeding places, where mosquito eggs would hatch to larva to pupa and later adults whose bite may be virus-laden, of the deadly Dengue strain.
In a management committee meeting, Mayor Benjamin Magalong mentioned that the result of the intensive search and destruction for Dengue-causing mosquito eggs/larvae shall be known by the end of July.
Cases have been increasing, as with the number of barangays with clustered cases, last week at 49.
In an earlier report, Health Services Office (HSO) head Dr. Rowena Galpo informed the executives that there are more cases, with a sudden peak in mid-June earlier than the predicted rise in July. The increase is a regular cyclic epidemic, which happens every three years in the city.
Dr. Galpo reported that the Dengue caravan and Information and Education Campaign (IEC) goes on, indoor and outdoor spraying needs to be done, and insecticide-treated curtains shall be given to eight elementary and five high schools in top 20 barangays.
Dr. Galpo also said that a review of City Ordinance 66, 2016 or the Anti-Dengue Ordinance clarifies that it is the concerted effort of the city government, barangays, councils, schools, non-government organizations with the local government of Baguio providing prevention and control, in order to mitigate the cause of dengue. All residents are required to strengthen the fight against Dengue, the ordinance states.
Households and all building owners should clean, cover, dispose of, check and drain water-filled containers and plants with the assistance of schools, churches, government and private offices. Hospitals should have Dengue fast lanes with the HSO providing Dengue desk assistance, free CBC and antigen tests. The HSO is also in-charge of a massive IEC campaign, surveillance and medical consultation for suspect cases, and referral to the hospital.
All concerned offices including the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Association of Barangay Council (ABC), Building and Architects Office (CBAO), Engineers (CEO), Environment and Parks Management (CEPMO), General Services (GSO), Social Welfare and Development (CSWDO), Legal (CLO), Public Information (PIO), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), with national offices: Department of Health (DoH), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Dep-Ed, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other representatives shall work together to control the Dengue virus.
It was also stated in the Anti-Dengue ordinance that a person who creates conditions favorable for breeding places, or any uncooperative person or group of persons can be summoned to appear before the Punong barangay to explain why no legal action should be taken against him/them.
Violation of the anti-dengue ordinance would be meted community service for one or several days or fine of P1,000 or P3,000 or imprisonment for a certain number of days, at the discretion of the court, the ordinance reads.
Meanwhile everyone is enjoined to take precautions against the Dengue-carrying mosquito. One who feels symptoms such as headache, vomiting, bleeding, rashes, fever, joint pains, fatigue, pain behind the eyes should visit the health center or any of the hospitals for immediate attention. A dengue fast lane is located at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC). – Julie G. Fianza
