TACLOBAN CITY– Dengue cases in Northern Samar declined sharply in the third week of September, but health authorities are urging residents and local government units to sustain preventive measures to keep infections from rising again.
The province recorded 110 dengue cases during the second week of September, or the 35th morbidity week, but the number dropped to 39 cases the following week, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Northern Samar Provincial Office.
While the decline is encouraging, DOH Northern Samar Provincial Officer Dr. Rommel Francisco said continued vigilance and coordinated action among local governments, barangays, communities, and households remain necessary to prevent another increase in cases.
Francisco made the call during the recently-held quarterly meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as the province continues to experience weather conditions associated with El Niño, including periods of warm to intense heat.
He reminded the public that dengue prevention should not be limited to the rainy season or periods of high temperatures.
During extreme heat, the body loses water and releases natural chemicals and metabolic byproducts that may attract blood-feeding mosquitoes, including Aedes mosquitoes that transmit dengue.
Francisco advised residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat, and observe other measures to prevent both dengue and heat-related illnesses.
Rainfall, meanwhile, can also increase the risk of dengue when rainwater collects in containers, discarded materials, gutters, canals, and other areas around homes and communities.
These stagnant-water sites can become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, making the regular removal of standing water an important community-level measure against dengue.
Francisco called for strengthened dengue prevention efforts, including intensified information campaigns and larval surveys, as well as aggressive search-and-destroy activities targeting mosquito breeding sites.
Health authorities also urged the implementation of appropriate vector-control measures in areas with confirmed cases, including fogging or misting following the 1-3-7 strategy and targeted indoor residual spraying.
Epidemiological surveillance at the municipal and provincial levels must likewise be strengthened to ensure that dengue cases are detected early and appropriate interventions are undertaken promptly.
The measures are part of the government’s 5S Strategy Against Dengue: Search and Destroy mosquito-breeding sites, practice Self-Protection, Seek Early Consultation, Support fogging or misting in identified hotspot or outbreak areas, and Stay hydrated.
With weather conditions shifting between extreme heat and sudden rainfall, the DOH and the Provincial Government are calling on the public to remain vigilant and actively participate in dengue prevention.
Residents are encouraged to regularly inspect their surroundings, eliminate stagnant water, protect themselves from mosquito bites, and seek medical attention early when dengue symptoms develop.
The DOH said sustained community participation will be crucial in ensuring that the recent decline in dengue cases is maintained and does not turn into another surge.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
