By Christine Fabro and Pearl Gumapos
More tropical cyclones are entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this year than anywhere else in the world, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
In PAGASA’s climate outlook bulletin for 2021, it said that about eight or nine tropical cyclones are coming in this year, while the peak of the typhoon season is in July through October.
Dengue cases become more prevalent during the wet season.
According to the latest epidemiological data of dengue in the Philippines released by the Diseases Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB), there are now 27,930 reported cases of dengue as of January to June 5 this year.
The regions with the highest number of reported dengue cases are Central Luzon with 8,925 cases, Calabarzon with 3,111, and Ilocos with 2,910. There have been 104 reported deaths due to dengue.
DPCB member Ailene Espiritu added that COVID-19 cannot be caught from a mosquito bite as it is a respiratory virus.
Measures to help decrease cases of dengue
Espiritu says some measures to help decrease the cases of dengue are: social mobilization, where people must develop a search-and-destroy habit with regard to mosquito breeding sites; fogging and misting activities; and vector surveillance.
She reiterated the observance of the 4S Strategy: Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, employ self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying.
Search and destroy
People must develop a habit of searching and destroying breeding sites of mosquitoes, including replacing water in flower vases once a week, collecting and disposing of all unusable tin cans and jars that can collect or hold water, covering water drums and pails, and cleaning gutters.
Self-protection measures
As for self-protection measures, one must wear clothes that can protect against dengue, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Mosquito repellant must be used everyday.
Seek early consultation
It’s best to consult doctors immediately if fever persists after two days and rashes appear on your skin.
Support fogging/spraying
Fogging or spraying should be conducted in hotspot areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.
Decrease in blood donation due to COVID-19 pandemic
An emerging concern is that dengue patients are at risk of needing blood transfusions, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to call on household heads to ensure that their children avoid getting fever.
This comes after the DOH reported a decline of blood donors since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a public briefing, National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) Program Manager Marites Estrella said that in response to the scarcity of blood collection, the DOH set up a blood services network, wherein each hospital’s blood bank shares blood resources with other hospitals in need.
In 2020, there was a decrease of about 22% in blood collection.
Amid COVID-19 concerns, the health expert explained that an RT-PCR test is not a requirement for individuals who plan to donate blood, as donors will first undergo screening to ensure that they are healthy. – jlo
