Dengue cases in Zamboanga City continue to soar breaching the 338 mark during the first 2 months of 2022.
Mortalities due to the mosquito-borne diseases have also increased to 9 as of March 1.
City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite said the fatalities came from barangays Bolong, Mercedes, Tictabon, Camino Nuevo, Sinunuc, Buenavista and Sta. Catalina.
At least 6 barangays were identified to have the highest number of dengue cases reported from January to February this year – Mercedes – 15; Culianan -9; Divisoria – 9; Zambowood -9; Lanzones- 3 and Quiniput- 3.
Dr. Miravite during the City Government-initiated press briefing last Tuesday reminded residents to practice the 4-S strategy against dengue, an acute viral infection that affects mostly young children and infants.
The 4-S campaign stands for Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, secure Self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent, Seek early consultation, and Support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.
The Enhanced 4-S implementation calls for everyone to become prime movers in controlling mosquito population and avoiding any possible dengue deaths within the community.
Dengue is transmitted through a bite of dengue-infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can lay eggs in any space or container that holds clear and stagnant water like a bottle cap, dish dryer, plant axil, gutter, trash can, old rubber tire, etc. They usually bite between 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset and can be found inside and outside the house. (Sheila Covarrubias)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page, photo courtesy of CHO)