• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Dengue cases in Bacolod City breached the 2,000-mark in the first 10 months of this year.
The City Health Office said Nov. 4 that it recorded 2,077 dengue infections, still with five deaths, from Jan. 1 to Oct. 26, which is 321.3 percent higher compared to the 493 cases with three deaths logged in the same period last year.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environment and Sanitation Division, said Taculing topped the barangays with high cases at 243, Bata with 168, Mansilingan – 165, Estefania – 160, Villamonte – 143, Mandalagan – 109, Tangub – 106, and Alijis – 100.
Health officials have been urging residents to revive the 4 o’clock habit in the fight against the spread of the dengue infection, especially with the rainy season.
The 4 o’clock habit is a strategy of the Department of Health mobilizing communities to search and destroy mosquito-breeding places at 4 p.m. every day, as dengue-carrying mosquitos are most active at this time to early evening.
The mosquitoes that often spread the dengue virus live in and around houses, breeding in standing water that can collect in used automobile tires, planting containers, animal dishes, and flower vases, among others.
CHO head, Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, earlier said that the fight against the spread of dengue is a community concern, and reviving the 4 o’clock habit will drum up awareness and the importance of clean surroundings. | CGC
