DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – With an alarming rise in dengue cases from 2022 to 2023, the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Health Office (PHO) urges residents to practice the 5S Diskarte Kontra sa Dengue.

Diskarte Kontra Dengue is one of the Department of Health’s (DOH) primary advocacies against the disease, the 5S entail a series of precautionary measures to combat dengue. Namely:

Search and destroy

A key factor in mosquito reproduction, standing water is a breeding ground for eggs and larvae; hence, the DOH and PHO encourage citizens to either cover or throw away any standing water they might have in their immediate surroundings. 

Restie S Kyamko, the focal person of the anti-dengue program, reminds everyone to check drying racks, old refrigerators as well as gardens and plants for stagnant water where dengue-causing mosquitoes may breed.

He also encouraged barangays to conduct cleanup drives in order to prevent any nests and hideouts from forming. Municipalities like Katipunan and Polanco, as well as the two charter cities of the province, Dipolog and Dapitan, have been more than compliant with keeping their streets clean.

Self-protection measures

Ultimately, blood is necessary for mosquitoes to survive. To protect against mosquito bites,  health offices encourage everyone to wear long pants and long sleeves. 

Mosquito repellents also greatly help with protection.

Sustain hydration

At the end of the day, hydration is still your best friend. On the unfortunate chance that you do catch dengue, drinking water and keeping your fluids in check will certainly prevent dehydration.

Kyamko calls on the public to support their initiative in the battle against dengue and to actively take part in its prevention because, when push comes to shove, prevention is still better than cure. (RVC/EDT/PJF/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)