The forecast of year-round wet weather this year because of the La Nina phenomenon has also brought with it the prospect of having dengue cases.
“There’s no longer a dengue season,” said Dr. Socrates Villamor, the Department of Health team leader for Negros Oriental.
Dengue cases used to be prevalent only during rainy days, hitting all-time lows in the dry months of summer.
Villamor said that due to erratic weather conditions felt around the world due to climate change, dengue cases have been monitored to occur year-round already unlike in the past.
Mosquitoes, specifically the Aedis aegypti and the Aedis albopictus, are the carriers of the dengue virus being transmitted between humans.
The DOH has already recorded seven dengue cases in Negros Oriental as of January 12. Of these, four were reported in Sibulan town, two in Dumaguete City and one in Bais City.
Dr. Villamor reminded the public to practice the Four S strategy of the DOH against dengue, which includes Search-and-destroy mosquito breeding places, use Self-protective measures such as insect repellant lotions and mosquito nets, Seek early treatment and consult the doctor at the earliest time possible, and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.
The province of Negros Oriental has seen in 2010 a significant rise of about 26 percent in the total number of dengue cases as opposed to figures recorded by the Department of Health in 2009. (PNA) JFP