COTABATO CITY— The Ministry of Health (MOH) is urging the public to observe the 4S strategy to prevent a dengue outbreak in the Bangsamoro region.
4S stands for Search and destroy mosquito breeding places; Seek early consultation from health experts; Secure self-protection; and Support fogging/spraying.
Dengue is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Aedes mosquitos, which usually bite during the day. They lay their eggs on stagnant water.
According to Nurse Ron Aray, MOH Coordinator on Dengue and Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease Program (EREID), dengue is a disease that spreads quickly. Hence it is vital for everyone to strictly practice the 4S strategy.
“Sa ating mga constituents—sa ating Bangsamoro people, maglinis po tayo ng paligid. We have to maintain cleanliness hindi lang sa ating sarili kundi sa ating environment and follow the 4S,” Aray said.
He said the symptoms of dengue include fever, headache and pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, extreme fatigue, and rashes.
“Kapag meron kayong nararamndan na mga ganito, ‘wag na po kayong mag-atubili na magpakonsulta,” he added.
MOH is also coordinating with the different local government units in the region in implementing the 4S strategy in the communities. The ministry is also providing anti-dengue supplies like insecticides to the Rural Health Units (RHU) and City Health Office (CHO) in BARMM.
“Tayo sa Ministry of Health, we assist, we augment, and we allocate technical assistance para po sa mga provincial and city health offices,” Aray said.
From Jan. 1 to Aug. 13, MOH’s to Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) has already recorded 2,124 dengue cases and 30 deaths in the region. Of the cases, 1,035 (49%) were from Lanao del Sur, followed by Cotabato City with 425 (20%), Maguindanao with 393 (19%), Tawi-Tawi with 112 (5%), Sulu with 90 (4%), and Basilan with 69 (3%) cases.
54% or 1,145 of the cases were recorded on children aged below 10 years old.
“Kapag sinunod natin ito (4s strategy), malamang nasa 80% ay masugpo natin yung dengue,” Aray stressed. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
