SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Department of Health Ilocos Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD-1) is urging the public to practice the 5S Approach or the five key actions to protect the community against dengue as the rainy season has started in the country.
 
The 5S Strategy stands for Search and destroy, Self-protection measures, Support fogging, Seek early consultation, and Sustain hydration.
 
DOH-CHD-1 Medical Officer IV Rheuel Bobis said the goal is to eliminate the vector of the virus to alleviate or possibly eradicate the dengue cases in the country.
 
“Ang dengue ay hindi nakakahawa sa pamamagitan ng human to human transfer gaya ng sa COVID-19 but this is a vector-borne disease transmissible through the daytime mosquito called Aedes aegypti,” Bobis said.
 
He added, “Kaya kung walang vector ay walang dengue virus na kakalat.”
 
Discussing the 5S, Bobis said it is vital to search and destroy mosquito breeding grounds like clear and stagnant waters.
 
Self-protection is also a must to prevent the acquisition of the virus and may be done by wearing long sleeves and pants and using insect-repellent lotions.
 
Bobis advised individuals who may be suffering from symptoms of dengue like fever and rashes to seek early medical consultation before the cases elevate which may cause complications or mortality.
 
Also, it is important to support fogging in the community; however, Bobis disclaimed that fogging must only be practiced when there is already a clustering of cases in a certain area.
 
Further, for patients already diagnosed with dengue, Bobis emphasized how important it is to keep themselves hydrated to prevent dehydration and other risks.
 
Meanwhile, as of May 27, the Ilocos Region logged some 742 dengue cases this year of which 389 were noted in Pangasinan; 144 in La Union; 115 in Ilocos Norte; 59 in Ilocos Sur; and 35 in Dagupan City.
 
“Compared to same period last year ay nagkaroon ng 11.7 porsyentong pagtaas ng kaso dahil 664 kaso lamang ang naitala nitong nakaraang taon,” he said.
 
On a lighter note, deaths related to dengue have decreased from three to one death this year.
 
Bobis noted that based on surveillance, most of the patients belong to the pediatric population which includes children aged 10 years old and below. (JCR/AMB/CGRC, PIA Region 1)