By Analou De Vera
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday has renewed its call for the public to practice the “4S” strategy to fight the increasing number of dengue cases in the country.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The DOH said that 40,614 dengue cases have already been reported nationwide as of January 1 to March 2.
"This is 16,383 or 68 percent higher compared to the same period last year (24,231 cases)," the health department noted.
The 4S strategy involves searching and destroying mosquito breeding places; securing self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent, seeking early consultation; and support fogging and spraying in hotspot areas.
“The World Health Organization said that there is no specific treatment for dengue, but early detection and access to medical care lowers fatality rates below one percent, and prevention is the key to fight dengue,” the DOH noted.
“We are encouraging the public to practice the 4S strategy, especially now that there are more opportunities for the mosquitoes to make stagnant water around these water containers their breeding places," it furthered.