Friday, June 01, 2012

Dengue Awareness Month

As the Department of Health prepares for the campaign of "Dengue Awareness Month" for this whole month of June, it was reported yesterday that dengue cases from 2011 to 2012 for the months of January to May saw an increase of 17%. Total dengue cases for the first five months this year reached 2,463 with 20 deaths.
On June 15, the DOH and the Philippine Information Agency will host the first-ever national observance of the ASEAN Dengue Day in San Fernando and will pilot a text blast messaging system campaign at the barangay level to send alerts for help to people suspected of falling sick with dengue. The theme is “ASEAN Unity for a Dengue-Free Community.”

Aedes Albopictus

Aedes Aegypti

The World Health Organization said dengue hemorrhagic fever was first recognized in the 1950s during epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand, and spread to the Americas and Asia.
Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Symptoms appear 3—14 days after the infective bite. Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever is a febrile illness that affects infants, young children and adults. Dengue virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly A. aegypti. These mosquitoes usually live in tropical countries like the Philippines.


Symptoms of Dengue Fever

1. Feeling nauseous, headache
2. Lost of appetite
3. Flu-like symptoms, muscles and joint pains
4. Overall lethargic
5. Fever, usually lasting for 2 to 7 days
6. Sever pain behind eyes
7. Stomach discomfort
8. Diarrhea, vomiting
9. Rashes appear 3-4 days after onset of fever
10. Bleeding from nose, mouth and gums
11. Excessive thirst

Prevention is Better Than Cure

Dengue mosquitoes breed in stored, exposed water collections. To prevent the mosquitoes from multiplying, drain out the water from tanks, barrels, drums, buckets, etc. Remove all objects containing water (e.g. plant saucers) from the house. Collect and destroy discarded containers where water can collect, e.g., bottles, plastic bags, cans, tires, etc. If storage of water can't be helped, the container should be covered with a tight fitting lid.
The main strategy in the prevention and control of dengue is source reduction, or prevention of breeding places. Every household can undertake simple measures to prevent existing water collections from becoming breeding places of Aedes aegypti. House cleaning by all members of the community will ensure that no breeding places exist, preventing dengue form occurring.
Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day time. The highest biting intensity is about 2 hours after sunrise and before sunset. Wear full sleeves clothing and long dresses to cover as much of your body as possible. Use repellents but be careful in using them in young children and the elderly. Use mosquito coils and electric vapor mats during daytime. Use mosquito nets to protect children, old people and others who nap during the day.

11 comments:

  1. there are few cases near my place..

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  2. Oh dear! You have this there too? We have it in our country as well and cases may be on the rise time and again - depending on the weather perhaps.

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  3. It's good they are having an awareness month for it because I've never even heard of it until now. So many mosquitoes where I live too, now I'll be paranoid.

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  4. Oh right! especially now that it's the rainy season again. Thanks for the share its very informative :)

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  5. nice!

    very informative. people should really be informed about this.

    :)

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  6. imvormative buddy, yaa in my room very much mosquito, and i use mosquito net to protect my body

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  7. dapat iwas talaga na magka dengue para iwas gasto...

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  8. Everyone needs to be so cautious especially on getting sick nowadays is so much money. Thank for your post and for sharing it. Keep in touch :)

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  9. hi lawrence!
    i have learned something here - "the highest biting intensity is about 2 hours after sunrise and before sunset"...akala ko hapon lang
    this is a well timed post, and extremely helpful thanks for sharing

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