The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Pangasinan has reported 424 dengue cases from January 1 to June 5 this year. This figure shows a slight increase compared to the 419 cases recorded during the same period last year. However, the absence of fatalities during the first five months of this year is a significant development, mirroring the situation in the previous year, as stated by PHO nurse Eugenio Carlos Paragas during a virtual forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency-Pangasinan on Tuesday.
While the number of dengue cases remains manageable, the PHO closely monitors ten cities and municipalities where cases are rising. The areas under scrutiny include the San Carlos and Urdaneta cities and the Calasiao, Binmaley, Malasiqui, Bayambang, Umingan, and Sta. Barbara, Manaoag, and Bugallon.
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Paragas highlighted that most dengue cases involve children between the ages of five and nine. These children are believed to have contracted dengue within their homes or at school, where potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes exist. Paragas emphasized the importance of information dissemination to combat the spread of dengue, focusing on the 4S strategy:
- Destroy mosquito-breeding sites.
- Secure self-protection measures.
- Seek early consultation.
- Support fogging or spraying in areas with clustered cases.
Furthermore, Paragas stressed that the PHO’s surveillance and monitoring of dengue cases are conducted throughout the year, not only during the rainy season. The office has been proactively preparing since January, conducting training sessions in collaboration with the Department of Health regional office for rural health units in the province.
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Dr. Cielo Almoite, from the Provincial Health Office for Public Health Services, mentioned that the 14 provincial government-run hospitals have designated express lanes to accommodate dengue cases. Almoite urged the public to seek early consultation to prevent deaths, particularly in severe dengue cases.
In addition to the dengue situation, Almoite also drew attention to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the province. As of June 5, there were 143 active cases, with 17 new cases requiring hospitalization. Almoite encouraged the people of Pangasinan to avail themselves of the booster shots for COVID-19 to help control the spread of the virus.
As the PHO continues its efforts to monitor and respond to both dengue and COVID-19, it urges the public to remain vigilant, follow preventive measures, and seek immediate medical attention when necessary. By working together, the community can effectively combat these diseases and ensure the well-being of Pangasinan’s residents.
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