LAOAG CITY—The city government of Laoag has enjoined all residents, particularly schools and barangay officials, to observe the “4 o’ clock habit” to prevent a surge in dengue fever cases this rainy season.
In a public advisory, Mayor Chevylle Fariñas told village officials and health workers in the city to also lead a massive dengue information drive among residents.
As recommended by the Department of Health, the habit is best practiced using the “stop, look and listen” approach.
According to the department, “stop” means dropping everything and shifting current task into mosquito control.
When the clock strikes 4 in the afternoon, assigned teams must “look” for the breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes and carry out systematic search and destroy activities to eliminate them.
“Listen” entails following the instructions from local authorities for a synchronized implementation of the 4 o’clock habit everyday.
A team of health workers, both from the city and provincial government of Ilocos Norte, is conducting vector surveillance operations in pre-identified high risk areas in the community.
“We are collecting larva to test if these are positive of aedes aegypti and at the same time, to conduct information drive in the locality,” said Connie Bagaoisan, a health worker from the Ilocos Norte government on Friday.
To foster better coordination between and among concerned authorities, the city government has also established dengue emergency hotlines for residents to call in case of emergency: 770-5228 (City Health Office); 773-1992 (Community Affairs Division); and 772-8826 (638) (Laoag City General Hospital).
From January to July this year, the City Health Office has logged more than 60 dengue cases with one death. Most of the patients are children in the elementary grade.
In addition, the City Government has also issued the following extra precautions:
1. Maintain general cleanliness in the house and surrounding areas;
2. Eat proper food, a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and take supplements to strengthen your immune system.
3. Visit your doctor or go to the nearest health center for your regular check-up, and;
4. Barangay officials must schedule fumigation activities with the City Health Office the soonest possible time. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
