MANILA, July 4 (PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday called on the public to be pro-active in maintaining the cleanliness of surroundings to reduce incidence of dengue during rainy season.
DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee-Suy said the public should not forget to do their part by engaging in clean-up activities in order to protect themselves, their families and community from the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
“While the DOH will not get tired of its repetitive advice to the public on what to do to prevent dengue especially during rainy reason and all year round, still, the most effective way is to influence the attitude of the public concerning this health problem,” he added.
Lee-Suy said the public must be continuously educated to develop a mindset on what they can do to contribute in the fight versus the threat of dengue that can kill people due to the hemorrhagic fever associated with it.
“If they will not do their share, it will be difficult to fight this alone, so it is really important that they will understand their role to the environment, in maintaining its cleanliness like organizing a clean-up drive in cooperation with their barangay and community leaders,” the DOH spokesperson added.
He added that DOH for its part had been persistent with its information drive through massive information campaign among school children and in local government units.
The children are taught on what to wear and to apply mosquito repellants.
In its program launched in schools, the DOH spread the information to children since they believe that educating them can help in the passage and spread of information to their families and communities.
In the same information dissemination, children were also advised to wear pajamas or use longer clothing to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Along with these reminders is the constant advice to seek immediate treatment if they notice that something is wrong with their health condition or to any member of their families.
“Of course they should never forget to seek immediate consultation to the nearest health center or medical facility when signs of dengue occurs,” the DOH spokesperson added.
He cited that common signs and symptoms of dengue are nose bleeding, gums bleeding and in feces (appearing as blackish bowels), restlessness, skin rashes, low blood platelets count and persistent vomiting.
Due to blood loss some patients undergo blood transfusion in severe cases.
In a DOH reminder, the department reiterated its stance against indiscriminate fogging because in such cases, the mosquitoes which are circulating in a particular place may just move to another place.
The best way is to destroy the common mosquito breeding sites in their respective areas.
The common breeding sites are flower vase, open drums or water storage, old tires containing water and others.
Usually, the mosquitoes hide in dark portion of the house like those areas where clothes are hanged, open garbage can and others.
The mosquitoes staying in these areas can be killed through spraying of insecticides (just be sure that no foods will be sprayed or not be sprayed in the presence of people who may smell it inside the house).(PNA)