SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) – The Provincial Government of La Union, through the Provincial Health Office, led the Dengue Awareness Month Celebration with the theme, “Fight Dengue, Save Lives” at Barangay Mindoro, Bangar, La Union on June 16 to awaken community involvement and intensify awareness against dengue outbreak.

A “Larval Survey and Search and Destroy” among 100 households of the barangay kickstarted the activity, which was participated in by medical staff from the municipal health office and barangay health workers.

Aside from that, the PHO installed insecticide-treated curtains as the barangay conducted the fogging operation.

In his lecture, Dr. Rheuel Bobis, Medical Officer IV of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 1 (DOH-CHD1), said that dengue is everybody’s concern.

“As of yung monitoring natin, From January 1 to June 11, 2023, sa probinsya po ng La Union, ngayong 2023, nagkaroon po tayo ng 195 ng bagong kaso ng dengue, comparing last year na nasa 73 lamang po ang kaso ng dengue, at meron pong naitalang isang namatay, kung kaya’t nakakaalarma,” Dr. Bobis reiterated.

Among the barangays of Bangar, Mindoro recorded a total of 16 cases of dengue which is considered to have the highest case with three deaths logged in 2022.

Dr. Bobis reminded the town's constituents that dengue control could be addressed effectively with the community's involvement.

“Yung dating 4S natin kontra sa dengue, in-enhance po natin ito at ginawa po nating 5S. Bukod po sa search and destroy, self-protection measure, seek early consultation at support fogging operation, ngayon, isinasama na natin yung sustain hydration para po sa management ng dengue,” said Bobis.

The monthlong observance is based on Proclamation No. 1204 series of 1998 signed by then-President Fidel V. Ramos. 

As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines also joined in the observance of the ASEAN Dengue Day on June 15. (JCR/MJTAB/KJCR, PIA La Union)