LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has intensified its dengue watch to prevent, at the very least, the expected massive spike of the disease, after the province experienced widespread flooding recently.
“Areas which are flood-prone, or were flooded in our case, are potential breeding sites for mosquitoes. There may be stagnant water in our area due to receded floodwaters, we should constantly check it,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Anna Teresa de Guzman told the public.
Based on PHO report, dengue cases in the province from January 1 to July 30 this year increased by 104 percent compared to the same period last year, with the cities of Urdaneta, San Carlos and Alaminos topping the watch list.
“Ages 10 to 19 are the ones susceptible to dengue. The youngest fatality is a two-month-old infant, while the oldest is a woman aged 86 years old,” de Guzman said.
She reminded the public that the most effective way to prevent dengue is keeping the surroundings clean.
“We strongly recommend that the people clean their environment. They should regularly check places, which could potentially spawn mosquito larvae,” she added.
The PHO, meanwhile, continues to bring medical services to the communities through the provincial government’s “Kalusugan Caravan”. (Ahikam Pasion/PNA)
