MAASIN CITY – The Maasin City Local Health Board and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, with the approval of Mayor Nacional V. Mercado, declared a State of Calamity upon assessing the still rising number of cases in the city after the recorded 250 dengue cases as of July 29, 2024.
Mayor Mercado urged everyone to help in the fight against the spread of dengue by practicing “55 Laban sa Dengue.” He also encouraged the public to avail of the free services of healthcare providers and undergo the Rapid Diagnostic Test at the Health Center if dengue symptoms are observed.
The 5S strategy against dengue includes Search and destroy, Self-protection measures, Seeking early consultation, Saying yes to fogging, and Starting and sustaining hydration.
Southern Leyte has the third highest number of cases in Region 8 with 585 dengue cases. The region has a total of 6,058 mosquito-borne disease, with 15 deaths as of August 3, 2024. There were 2,013 recorded in Leyte province, 569 in Eastern Samar, 311 in Northern Samar, 1,739 in Samar, 106 in Biliran, 446 in Ormoc City, and 290 in Tacloban City.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) – Eastern Visayas advises the hospitals in the region to have fast lanes for suspected dengue patients in order to facilitate the prompt diagnosis, processing, and treatment of suspected dengue patients.
The DOH-8 also said that health facilities should train their medical personnel for prompt detection, appropriate triage, and treatment in accordance with established guidelines by ensuring that there is “adequate supply of intravenous fluids, diagnostic tools such as dengue rapid diagnostic tests, and essential medications for patient care.”
Those with dengue warning signs such as abdominal pain, bleeding, frequent vomiting, lethargy, or restlessness are asked to seek early consultation. Dengue fever is marked by the onset of a sudden high fever, a severe headache, and pain behind the eyes, muscles, and joints. Some may develop rashes and varying degrees of bleeding in different parts of the body.
DoH-8 regional information officer, Jelyn Malibago, attributed the surge in cases to the heavy rains brought by weather disturbances affecting the region. She said that the rainy season, with high humidity, increased the number of breeding grounds for Aedes Aegypti, the mosquito that brings dengue virus.
“During rainy season, people tend to stay indoors which may lead to increased exposure to mosquitoes especially if homes are not adequately protected with screens or insect repellents,” she added. (gmr. Source: DOH-8, LGU-Maasin City)
Maasin City in dengue state of calamity
