The Makati City local government launched on Wednesday, Jun 1, a simultaneous clean-up drive in waterways and streets against dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
In its official Facebook page, the Makati City local government posted photos showing barangay personnel, sanitation inspectors, and staff of the Makati Health Department (MHD) leading the clean-up drive in all of the city’s 33 barangays.
"In the coming days, MHD personnel will install ovi-larvi traps in households to determine if dengue-carrying mosquitoes are present in the area. The team will also conduct misting operations to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying," the city government said.
It added that June has been declared Dengue Awareness Month since the peak of the dengue epidemic period occurs from June until August.
The Department of Health (DOH) recently reported that a "significant” decrease in the number of cumulative dengue cases in the country was observed from Jan. 1 to May 7
Citing the data gathered by the Epidemiology Bureau (EB), a six percent decrease was recorded, from 27,010 last year, down to 25,268 this year for the same period.
“Weekly dengue case counts in 2022 were also significantly lower, except from March 20 to April 30, also known as Morbidity Weeks 12 to 17, with 11,435 dengue cases reported, which is 94 percent higher than the cases reported during the same specific time period in 2021 (5,901),” the health department noted.
Last year, the DOH said that there was an 81 percent decrease in dengue cases and deaths in 2020 compared to 2019.
Based on the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Report, there was a continued 55 percent decrease in cases and 56 percent decrease in deaths during the same time period.
The milestone was attributed to the implementation of the “Guidelines for the Nationwide Implementation of the Enhanced 4S-Strategy against Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika”.
The main strategies include:
1) Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites;
2) Self-protection (i.e., wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellent);
3) Seeking early consultation; and
4) Support fogging/spraying only in hot spot areas in anticipation of increased infectious diseases, especially during the rainy season.