The city government of Taguig beefed up its health security measures and response capability for the entire month of November against serious diseases like Dengue and the Zika virus.
City Health Officer Dr. Isaias Ramos said the activity is part of their year-round Dengue Prevention and Control Program, and a preventive approach against the Zika and Chikungunya mosquito-borne viruses.
The City Health Department reported that dengue cases this year are down by 15 percent at 403 cases compared to 2015’s 474 cases. The reported cases this year were also lower by 15 percent than the previous three-year average (2013 to 2015).
“We are thankful as dengue incidents have been low in Taguig this year and we have zero Zika and Chikungunya. The mayor wants to keep the numbers down, thus, we will exert more effort to achieve it,” Dr. Ramos explained.
Mayor Laarni Cayetano earlier ordered an information campaign and a massive clean-up drive to destroy potential breeding sites of virus-carrying mosquitoes.
Cayetano is happy with the drop in dengue cases, but not satisfied owing to the two deaths reported this year.
“I am happy with the result, the dengue incidents are down as well as the flooding. I have directed the City Health Office, Liga ng mga Barangay, City Engineering Office, and the Solid Waste Management Office to continue what they have been doing,” she said. Joel E. Zurbano
“Although the numbers are down, there were fatalities. We need to do something about it. I also would like to appeal to my constituents to do your share by being responsible and cleaning your surroundings,” the mayor added.
The anti-virus operations against diseases will continue until Nov. 29. The priority areas are schools and high-population areas in the city.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel stationed in the city will also be lectured on Dengue prevention and control.
The Zika virus outbreak began in Brazil early last year, has spread to neighboring countries and has reached the Philippines, with two new cases reported over the weekend, bringing the total cases in the country to 35.
Zika causes only mild symptoms for most people. But in pregnant women, it can cause microcephaly, a deformation in which babies are born with abnormally small brains and heads.
