Health authorities here are reminding the public that cleanliness in homes and surroundings remains an effective way to prevent and control the spread of dengue in communities.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) Dengue Coordinator Desiree Tajonera, in an interview over a local radio station on February 5 gave the reminder after revealing that the latest number of dengue cases in the province is alarmingly high.
Records from Occidental Mindoro PHO said as of January 29, 2025 show there were 382 reported dengue cases in Occidental Mindoro, including two recorded fatalities.
Tajonera noted that the highest number of dengue cases was reported in the town of Santa Cruz, which recorded 87 cases.
Among the 11 barangays in this town, 10 have been identified as having clusters of dengue cases.These barangays include Mulawin, Poblacion, Alacaak, San Vicente, Barahan, Lumang-bayan, Casaguwe, and Dayap.
The second-highest number of cases, 77, was reported in Sablayan, where two fatalities were also recorded. Both fatalities were four-year old children.
Other towns with reported dengue cases include Mamburao (57 cases), San Jose (55 cases), Magsaysay (49 cases), Calintaan (16 cases), Paluan (12 cases), Abra de Ilog (11 cases), Lubang (10 cases), Rizal (7 cases), and Looc (1 case).
Tajonera said the PHO continues to coordinate with the Municipal Health Offices of each town to provide guidance and assistance as needed.
“Ang pagpapatupad ng 4S ay nananatiling pinakamabisang panlaban sa dengue,” Tajonera said.
(The implementation of the 4S strategy is still our most effective weapon against dengue.)
The 4S strategy includes the following measures: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; secure Self-protection by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, as well as applying insect repellent lotion to protect against mosquito bites; Seek early consultation if experiencing symptoms of dengue, such as high fever (up to 40°C), muscle and joint pain, rashes, dizziness, and vomiting’ and Support fogging in areas where dengue outbreaks have been reported.
Among these measures, Tajonera emphasized the significance of search and destroy efforts, now being carried out through the “4 o’clock habit,” a Department of Health (DOH) campaign that motivates communities to clean their surroundings collectively at 4:00 PM.
With the continuous rise in dengue cases, Tajonera stressed the urgent need for intensified efforts to implement this campaign across the entire province. (VND/PIA MIMAROPA–Occidental Mindoro/Photos from PHO)
