By Mike Crismundo BUTUAN CITY - With the increasing number of dengue cases in various parts in Caraga region, the Department of Health 13– Center for Health Development (DOH 13-CHD) has intensified the “4S” campaign in the different provinces of the region. DOH 13 Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. on Saturday reminded the different barangays in the region to continuously perform the “4S” campaign to prevent the spread of dengue disease. These are: search and destroy; self-protection measures; seek early consultation; and say no to indiscriminate fogging. The region’s top DOH official recognized the all-out effort of the local government units in the five provinces and six cities in the Caraga region for their constant implementation of the health programs to the public. However, the official urged the local officials, alongwith the parents association to continue “without let up the 4S drive”. “Thank you for your cooperation, especially to the local government units. You’ve been our most able and reliable partners in this anti-dengue program,” he said. “You are not only the arms and legs of the department, you are also the heart and the face of the department in the different local communities,” Director Llacuna said. The official urged the general public to continue dengue prevention by continuously maintaining cleanliness in the surroundings. Dengue cases in Caraga region continued to rise, with 17 deaths reported since the start of this year. The age of the fatalities ranged from less than 1-year old to 99 years old, where majority of the cases were male. In its 30th Morbidity Week Report, the DOH 13 regional office said 6,685 cases were admitted to the different disease reporting units region-wide from Jan. 1 to July 25, 2019. The number of cases was 178.8 percent higher, compared to the same period last year, the report said. Of the 17 deaths reported: Agusan del Sur has 7, Butuan City- 4, Agusan del Norte- 3, Surigao del Norte- 1, Surigao del Sur- 1 and Tandag City- 1. Director Llacuna advised Caraga residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites such as rain barrels, drums, pails and other water containers, discarded tires, bottles and tin cans, garbage cans, clogged roof and gutters, coconut shells, tree holes and bamboo stumps. Dengue is caused by the bite of dengue-infected mosquitoes. It is characterized by moderate to high grade fever of two to seven days, headaches, retro-orbital pain, muscle and joint pains, vomiting, abdominal pain, minor and major bleeding and decreased platelets.