Manila ready vs. dengue outbreak

FILE: DRUG-FREE MANILA. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (center) says his administration will work hard to make the country’s capital drug-free, during a news briefing held at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila on Friday (July 19, 2019). Domagoso said drug pushers and dealers have no place in Manila. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

MANILA — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Friday said the city’s local government has started an anti-dengue campaign to keep dengue outbreak at bay.

“I already tasked the Manila Health Department to check our facilities and schools even if the outbreak hasn’t reached us,” Domagoso said in a briefing at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila.

On July 15, the Department of Health declared a national dengue alert due to the rapid increase of dengue cases in Region 4-B (Mimaropa), Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao. These areas have exceeded the epidemic threshold for dengue.

According to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, the dengue cases nationwide have reached a cumulative figure of 106,630, which is 85 percent higher compared to the same period last year at 57,564 cases.

Most of the cases are from Western Visayas — 13,164; Calabarzon – 11,474; Central Visayas – 9,199; Soccsksargen – 9,107; and Northern Mindanao – 8,739 and were for the period of January to June 29 this year.

Stressing that stagnant water is breeding places for mosquitoes, Domagoso said he has instructed the cleanup of public areas, where water tend to gather.

“And I encourage and enjoin all barangay officials (to do) declogging, linisin ninyo na yung mga estero, yung mga stagnant water, kasi iyan naman ang problema diyan kapag dengue (clean the drainage, the stagnant water, that’s the real problem when it comes to dengue),” he added.