Public-Private Partnership to Combat Dengue

Marking the second Asean Dengue Day, the World Health Organization on Friday  urged its member countries to curb the prevalence of dengue fever by boosting partnership with the private and public sector, saying that the disease continues to be a public health threat.

The organization said the Asia Pacific Region accounted for 75 percent of the current global disease burden. Globally, the mosquito-borne disease claims about 20,000 deaths every year.

“Dengue cannot be defeated by the health sector alone. It needs the involvement of both private and public sector stakeholders. Member states need to work together as one community to fight it,” said the WHO in a statement.

June 15 was declared Asean Dengue Day during the 10th Asean Health Ministers Meeting in Singapore on July 22, 2010. The event is supported by a community of experts calling for a shift from reactionary strategies to forward planning and long-term prevention programs.

The Department of Health also joined its Asean neighboring countries Friday in commemorating the event as nationwide dengue cases increased over the last six months.

From January to June 2, the health agency monitored 32,193 cases. The figure is 3.89 percent higher compared to the same period last year. Most of the cases were attributed to Metro Manila, which registered 7,670 incidents.

Central Luzon accounted for the second highest number of incidents (5,552 cases) followed by Calabarzon (4,508 cases). So far, 195 deaths due to the disease have been recorded in the last six months.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said his office was looking at boosting community action against dengue by tapping information technology to implement “specific targeting” of the disease in communities.

This process would allow real-time reporting of dengue cases from rural health units and hospitals, he said.

Under the system, rural health units or hospitals are expected to immediately report suspected dengue cases to a dengue coordinator, who would forward the message to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and to the barangay-based health team.

The health team will then conduct investigation to the affected area and visit the patient on the same day while the PIA will conduct a “text blast” about dengue prevention, according to the DOH. The team will also be responsible for identifying other possible patients in the neighborhood.

The new tack in curbing the incidence of dengue cases will be pilot-tested in San Fernando, Pampanga, which registered a high number of dengue incidents last year, the DOH said. 

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Dengue Awareness Month

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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.

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