ZAMBOANGA CITY is ramping up its information campaign and fogging activities against dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease, as the local health office recorded 1,444 cases with 14 deaths from January 1 to April 23.
“Last April, a dengue outbreak was declared over the city as cases exceeded dengue epidemic thresholds for 4 consecutive weeks,” the city government said in a statement.
As of May 1, the City Health Office said hospital admissions due to dengue has reached 51.
Local authorities appealed to the public to help curb the rising dengue cases by clearing mosquito breeding sites, use self-protection measures such as insect repellants, and cooperate with the city government’s fogging activities.
Health officials also advised residents to immediately seek medical assistance when dengue symptoms are observed. Common symptoms are fever with nausea and vomiting, rash, and pains typically behind the eyes or muscle and joints.
At least 15 of the 98 barangays in the city have high number of cases, according to the health office.
Zamboanga City, a coastal city in the southwestern side of mainland Mindanao, has a population of more than 977,000. — MSJ