MikeLigalig.com

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

Dengue cases, including already six deaths since January, have risen to a terrible level in the past six months that they have already more than doubled the total for the entire year of 2009.

Gov. Edgar Chatto immediately ordered the implementation of the four "S" against dengue to prevent a likely over 200% increase in the incidents by the end of December this year and save most number of lives, particularly of the tender children who are most vulnerable to the dreaded disease.

These four "S" mean - search and destroy mosquito breeding places; self-protection measures; seek early consultation; and say "No to indiscriminate fogging."

In the meeting of the capitol management Executive Board (MEB), Chatto called the attention of all concerned, taking into serious consideration the onset of the rainy season during which the dengue-causing mosquitoes can rapidly breed.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) head Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot reported to the MEB that six already died of dengue within the January 1 - July 16, 2010 period, which also registered 793 "suspected" cases of dengue. In the whole of 2009, only 769 cases were reported, eight resulting in death.

The governor called for preventive and control measures against the outbreak of the disease and also for volunteerism in donating blood for dengue victims. Severe cases of dengue often require blood transfusion.

Cabagnot clarified in the MEB meeting that because the province does not have the technical capability to confirm these cases as dengue hemorrhagic fever, these can only be classified as suspected dengue cases until they are confirmed by laboratory testing.

The dengue deaths this year involved victims from Baclayon, Calape, Garcia-Hernandez, Loay, San Miguel, and Ubay.

The fight against dengue is "sentimental" to the governor himself because dengue had claimed the precious life of his own younger pretty sister, Esther Therese. Hers was reported to be the first case of dengue death in Bohol. Chatto was then a high school student.

That case was crucial to the Boholanos in the late 70s. The case was an issue critical to the Boholanos in the early 70s as it brought about the realization that dengue can kill---fast and sure.

Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is carried by the aedes aegypti mosquito.
    
This mosquito has white markings on its legs and usually feeds early in the morning or late in the afternoon. It breeds in clean, stagnant water such as those found in flower vases, roof gutters,uncovered water vessels, used cans, and discarded tires.

The principal symptoms of dengue are high fever, severe headache, backache, joint pains, nausea and vomiting, eye pain, and rashes.

Chatto stressed in his memorandum on Wednesday to the mayors that preventive action is the best defense. The PHO urged the conduct of community clean-ups.

He urged the conduct of the four "S's" against dengue---search and destroy operations of possible breeding places of dengue mosquitoes, information education campaigns and advocacy by LGUs down to the barangay level, and for advocacy and lectures in communities and schools.

Among the other measures recommended are entomological surveys, surveillance and monitoring, and rapid reporting from rural health units to the provincial and regional health authorities.

The self-protection measures one may take against dengue are the use of mosquito nets, installation of window and door screens, use of insect repellant lotion, and wearing of pants and long-sleeved clothing.

The PHO discouraged indiscriminate fogging as it may do more harm than good. Mosquitoes only move away from areas being fogged but may still return and because the eggs of dengue mosquitoes are underwater, they are not affected by fogging.

During the MEB meeting, while urging voluntary blood donation for severe dengue victims, the governor noted the health benefits of donating blood since it helps produce new blood cells.

According to the PHO, the most number of suspected dengue cases reported since 2000 was in 2007 with 1,678 cases and 16 deaths. The most number of deaths was reported in 2005 with 21 fatalities and 1,113 suspected cases.

Year 2000 had the least number of dengue cases with only 70 and without a single fatality, followed by the 145, which included five deaths, in 2008.

BOHOL HOSPITALS NOT READY

Before the province-run hospitals and the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital could even meet the standards, the surge of dengue cases add up to the challenge.

At present, the statistics has already reached a little over 200, and the Provincial Health Office had even estimated the cases to reach up to 700 in the coming days.

At the rate of two to five cases of dengue mounting every week recently has put the efficiency of province-run hospitals to test.

In the meantime, complaints already started mounting, following the lack of laboratory equipment and personnel to handle the tests.

The problems include the scarce ready blood donors for transfusion to patients and the hospital policy to subject donated blood to retesting.

The PHO also seems to be lagging behind in campaign on the prevention aspect.

Lack of hospital beds also add up to the problem, which even prompted some district hospitals to refer patients to Tagbilaran-based Gallares hospital which is already crowded.

On the prevention side, the proliferation of substandard boarding houses in the city also proved to be contributing factors to the rise in dengue cases recently.

Parents started complaining about the poor facilities of most boarding houses where their children stay during schooldays.

Most of these boarding houses that are subjected to complaints are dim-lit and untidy, encouraging dengue-carrying mosquitoes to breed, especially with the swampy areas nearby.

Parents and school administrators expressed concern as the aggravating factors seem to grow in faster rate than the actions taken by health authorities.

The PHO has recently been tapped to employ measures to improve the delivery of health services by district hospitals and to facilitate the compliance of the referral system, but budgetary constraints held back its implementation. (With reports from Paul Vistal/EDCom)

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