KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- The Provincial Health Office here provided the latest updates on various diseases.

In a recent press conference with local media, Aklan health officials discussed the various programs to address COVID-19, dengue and monkey pox.

Resource persons/panelists of the press conference were Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Cornelio Cuachon, and Roger Debuque and Gino Val Taytayon, all from Provincial Health Office-Aklan, who are focal persons/ coordinators of the province’s various health programs.

First part of the press conference consisted of presentations on COVID-19 and dengue. 

It noted that from January 1 to June 18, the province of Aklan has recorded 2,557 cases of COVID-19 with all Aklan municipalities having cases.

Cuachon also revealed that the province attained 80.45% full vaccination of the targeted population, while for A2 or those 60 years old and above, the province attained 83.25% full vaccination percentage.

Of Aklan’s 17 towns, Cuachon revealed that four were not able to attain the 70% vaccination of their respective target population – Balete, Banga, Buruanga and Libacao.

On the other hand, there are three Aklan LGUs which were not able to reach 70% vaccination target of A2 category or Senior Citizens. These include Buruanga, Malay and Nabas.

To defeat dengue, Cuachon echoed the Department of Health’s battlecry for this year which is “Crush Dengue Para Di Maglanding On You," and called on everyone to practice the 4S – Search and Destroy, Self-Protection Measures, Seek early consultation; and Support fogging/spraying (only in hotspots).

Meanwhile, to better inform the local media on monkey pox and for them to help disseminate information abut this new disease, Health Education and Promotion Officer Gino Val Taytayon gave an orientation on the matter.

According to Taytayon, monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease harbored by rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) but natural reservoir is unknown.

He also illustrated a comparison on monkeypox and chickenpox, diagnostic tests, vaccination and antiviral treatments.

Per his orientation, he said that last May 20, 2022, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque instructed the Bureau of Quarantine to heighten the alert level of point of entries for monkeypox.

Meanwhile, Cuachon and the rest of the panelists stressed that even as Aklan is on Alert Level 1, all Aklanons must still stick to wearing face masks and follow the minimum health protocols.

“COVID-19 is still here, so let us all be careful,” Cuachon said. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)