THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region donated anti-dengue supplies including misting machines, backpack sprayers and insecticides and olyset nets worth P31,539 million pesos to local government units (LGUs) to complement vector control measures in the communities during an outbreak in a turn-over ceremony held in Bauang, La Union on July 12, 2024.
“We are giving away these anti-dengue supplies to LGUs so that they can undertake their own misting operations, but only when there is a need for it,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated in her message.
She reminded LGUs that the use of misting machines is only a way to supplement the elimination of adult dengue-carrying mosquitoes but not the larvae. “The best and absolute solution to stop the spread of dengue is to follow the 4S of DOH’s Anti-Dengue Campaign.”
“Importante na maging malinis ang ating kapaligiran upang ang mga lamok ay walang mapagpugaran. Preventive and control actions must begin from us and the rest will follow together with the support of our partners and stakeholders in health, we can stop the spread and eliminate dengue in the community.”
A total of 44 pressurized battery-operated blower and sprayer ultra-low volume machines worth P441,000 each were distributed along with 600 bottles of insecticide worth P13,225/bottle. About 300 rolls of Olyset nets worth P14,000 each were also provided.
Regional Communicable Disease Prevention Unit Head, Dr. Rhuel C. Bobis emphasized the most effective way to lessen dengue is by seeking and destroying mosquito breeding places. “Ipagpatuloy po natin ang ating mga community clean-up activities at tayo po ay mag-umpisa sa paglilinis sa paligid ng ating bahay para makaiwas sa dengue.”
Bobis also explained that only identified LGUs who have recorded an increase in cases were given supplies to be used in their anti-dengue elimination activities. He also assured that the remaining LGUs will also be provided in due time.
Among the selected LGUS in Ilocos region who received the supplies were Balungao, Bugallon, Lingayen, Bayambang, Binmaley, Calasiao, Labrador, Infanta and Manaoag in the province of Pangasinan; Agoo, San Fernando City, Bauang, Naguilian and Tubao in La Union; Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar, Tagudin, Candon City and Alilem in Ilocos Sur; Adams, Sarrat, Batac City, Piddig, Pagudpod, Badoc, San Nicolas, Solsona, Laoag City, Carasi, Pinili, Bacarra, Dingras, Pasuquin, Currimao, Rosario, Burgos, Marcos, Bangui, Paoay and Vintar in Ilocos Norte.
DOH Administrative Order No. 2018-0021 recommends fogging or spraying in hotspot areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.
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