Dengue surge prompts Philippine Red Cross to activate extensive outbreak response plan

 

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Amid rising dengue cases nationwide, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Wednesday, Aug. 21, announced that it has activated a comprehensive dengue outbreak response plan.

(Philippine Red Cross / Manila Bulletin) 

As the major blood supplier in the country, the PRC said that the implementation of the response plan aims to address the increasing demand for blood supplies and other critical needs of dengue-affected patients.

“As many areas in the country are declared under a state of calamity due to the alarming rise in dengue cases, we are implementing a response plan to assist government agencies during this crisis,” PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dick Gordon said.

Gordon also reiterated the PRC’s proactive approach. “I always tell my team the importance of the 4Ps: Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice,” Gordon said. “Just like in recent health challenges, this is not just PRC’s fight; it’s all of ours,” he added.

Steady blood supply

Based on the dengue response plan of the PRC Blood Services, the PRC will ensure a steady blood supply.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 21 this year, the PRC has dispensed 3,180 blood units to 1,020 dengue patients, including those residing in areas under a state of calamity. 

The PRC noted that in Iloilo province, which was placed under a state of calamity on Aug. 20, a total of 826 blood bags were supplied to infected patients.

In Maasin, Southern Leyte, a total of 15 units of blood platelets were delivered from its Cebu Chapter.

Maasin was also placed under a state of calamity along with other places in Eastern Visayas.

Gordon explained that the 102 PRC chapters report the inventory of their blood supply daily. “Kaya very confident ako na kahit nasaan ka man sa bansa, kaya kang bigyan ng Red Cross ng dugo (So I'm very confident that no matter where you are in the country, the Red Cross can provide you with blood),” he added.

In addition to providing blood for transfusions, the response plan includes various programs and activities, such as online and on-ground dengue awareness campaigns, health caravans, blood donation drives, and cleanup initiatives to curb the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary General Gwen Pang explained that the response plan also serves as a “compass” for the PRC national headquarters and its 102 chapters nationwide in conducting activities related to dengue mitigation. 

“With PRC’s 108 blood service facilities, 32 blood centers, 76 blood collecting stations, and 15 apheresis centers across the Philippines, we are confident that no patient will be denied access to blood,” Pang said.

For blood needs and assistance, the public can reach out to the PRC’s 24/7 hotlines at 1158 and 143.

Davao villages monitored for chikungunya virus

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

THE Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Unit (TDPCU) of the Davao City Health Office is closely monitoring the signs and symptoms of the chikungunya virus in two villages in the city.

Chikungunya virus is caused by Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquito family spreading dengue fever.

Melodina Babante, pest control worker at TDPCU, said Davaoeños should not only be cautioned about the dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes since Aedes mosquitoes can also spread the chikungunya virus.

Babante said these villages include Panacan and Ilang.

"We need to explain the diseases caused by Aedes mosquitoes. It has not been confirmed yet but in Panacan and Ilang, our team found signs and symptoms that are still being confirmed if it's chikungunya," she said.

The public must be aware that chikungunya is unlike dengue that you would only have a fever.

"With chikungunya, aside from fever, you would experience joint pains and rashes. Rashes that seem like measles. If you have symptoms such as these, report immediately to your health centers," she said.

She said that Barangay Ilang experienced a chikungunya outbreak before. This is why confirmatory tests are currently being done to determine the new symptoms found in the barangay (village), as well as in Panacan, to properly address the problem.

Babante underscored the need for Davaoeños to observe the 4S campaign, which stands for "search and destroy" mosquito breeding places, "secure self-protection" from a mosquito bite, "seek early consultation" when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and "say yes to fogging" as a last resort when there is an impending outbreak.

Dengue cases rise in CAR

Virus-carrying mosquitoes, according to her, have a peak biting time from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., that's why she urged parents not to let their children leave the house at this time without protection.

"Don't let them wear shorts but let them wear pajamas or long pants. They should wear long sleeves. Apply mosquito repellent. Don't let them wear dark colors like black which is attractive to mosquitoes," she said.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection.

Dengue cases soar in Zamboanga City

An employee of the City Health Office conducts fogging activities in one of the communities affected by the dengue virus. (Zambo LGU photo)

by Liza Abubakar-Jocson, Manila Bulletin

ZAMBOANGA CITY- The Zamboanga City Health Office expressed alarm over the soaring number of dengue cases in Zamboanga City over the past two months.

Since January this year, 338 dengue cases were recorded with nine fatalities, mostly children.

 

Six barangays in the city were reported to have the highest number of dengue cases. These are Mercedes with 15 cases; Culianan, 9; Divisoria, 9; Zambowood, 9; Lanzones, 3; and Quiniput, 3.

City Health Office personnel started to make the rounds of these barangays to conduct fogging activities.

Health personnel visited residents in these communities to help them in the eradication of mosquito breeding sites.

Dr. Dulce Miravite, City Health Officer, reiterated her call to residents to practice the 4-S strategy to combat dengue. The strategy includes search and destroy the breeding places of mosquitoes, seek early consultation, self-protection, and fogging activities.

STAY ALERT DURING RAINY SEASON

Posted on June 17, 2020  by administrator

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has advised Dabawenyos, especially those residing in danger-zones, to stay alert and vigilant against risks of disaster and diseases common during wet season.

Mayor Sara warned that calamities such as flooding and landslides can happen as the country enters the rainy season from June to December.“Ang dala sa ulan, number one – landslide, ikaduha – baha, lightning. Mag-ingat ta everytime na kusog ang ulan (The rainy season can cause number one – landslide, second – flood, lighting. Let’s be vigilant during heavy rains),” she advised.

The mayor said it is also the season when diseases affect people such as leptospirosis, dengue, and tetanus.“Usually dala aning ulan is ang mga sakit nga leptospirosis, mao na siya ang hugaw sa ilaga na naa sa floodwater. So dili ta basta-basta mulusong sa tubig baha because duna na siya’y dala na mga hugaw, mga kagaw. Dili lang ang leptospirosis, posible tang masamad and magkasakit ta og tetanus (Usually the rain brings diseases like leptospirosis which is a bacterial infection acquired from rats during flood. We should avoid floodwater because of the bacteria and germs in it. Aside from that, we can get wounds and get tetanus),” Mayor Sara stressed.

She also reminded the people to be aware of their surroundings as dengue can be widespread influenced by rainfall. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection.“Paniguraduhon nato nga malabay nato ang mga nagpundo nga hugaw nga tubig kay posible ni siya nga mahimong balay sa mga lamok (Let’s ensure to throw away the dirty, stagnant water because mosquitos inhabit there),” she warned.She said that increase of cases like these (dengue, leptospirosis, tetanus) will add to the problem in the hospitals not being able to serve so many patients.“Kung mudaghan atong mga dengue cases, kung mudaghan atong mga leptospirosis, ang mga nasakit ug tetanus… tanan nga lain nga sakit, magdungan sila tanan sa hospital so mubalik na pud ta sa atoang problema nga dili na makakaya ang atoang hospital nga magcarry og mga tao nga dunay sakit (If our dengue, leptospirosis, tetanus cases, and all other diseases increase and patients overwhelm the hospital, we will go back again to our problem of hospitals not being able to cater everyone),” Mayor Sara said.

CIO

Philippinen rufen wegen Dengue den Gesundheitsnotstand aus

Auf den Philippinen hat die Regierung nach mehr als 600 Toten durch das Dengue-Fieber seit Jahresbeginn den Notstand erklärt. Besonders betroffen ist die Hauptstadtregion rund um Manila. Den Behörden zufolge könnte der Anstieg daran liegen, dass aktuell ein besonders aggressiver Virustyp unterwegs sei. Insgesamt wurden auf den Philippinen 2019 bereits mehr als 146.000 Dengue-Fälle registriert. Mit der Erklärung von Dengue zu einer landesweiten Epidemie soll es den Behörden leichter gemacht werden, Maßnahmen gegen die Ausbreitung der Krankheit einzuleiten. Das Virus wird von Mücken übertragen.

(C) Deutsche Welle 2019

Be Again On Guard Against Dengue

The Philippines' weather bureau predicts the onset of the rainy season now. The usually rainy season is six months in the Philippines - from June to November each year. With rains comes flooding, along with threat of illnesses such as dengue fever.

We are all advised here to be vigilant against dengue, a perennial health problem, prevalent in tropical countries such the Philippines. Anyone can fall ill with dengue fever any time during the year but the number of patients increases during the raining season. The dengue-carrying mosquito  called AEDES AEGYPTI, which is black with white spots, lays eggs in clear waters found in flower vases, cans, bamboo husks, empty soft drink bottles, rain barrels, and old rubber tires. Left undetected and treated, dengue could lead to a number of complications.

An expert warned against a "secondary mosquito species - the AEDES ALBOPICTUS - as a possible dengue risk. The forest area at Mount Makiling in Laguna is said to be the natural habitat of this specie. The Department of Health is conducting further studies to validate the threat from this "secondary mosquito species".

The first quarter of 2012 registered a 28.96 percent drop in dengue cases, mostly in Metro Manila - from 23.241 cases in the same period last year, to 16.511 cases this year.

BUT, be on guard as there is no treatment, cure, or vaccine for dengue. A way to prevent it is to maintain clean surroundings to eliminate breeding sites. Prevention involves regular clean up, fogging, spraying of insecticides and larviciding. Clothing, mosquito repellent, and netting can held reduce exposure.

More Dengue Cases in Region XII in Mindanao

(From MindaNews)

The Department of Health in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao is closely watching at least five villages in General Santos City and nearby Polomolok town in South Cotabato due to the noted clustering of dengue cases since last month. 

Dr. Abdullah Dumama, DOH Region 12 director said Thursday their latest monitoring showed that an average of three or more cases of dengue infections have emerged during the last four weeks in Labangal, Lagao and San Isidro aas well as in Poblacion and Cannery Site in Polomolok. 

Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santps, Koronadal, Cotabato, Tacurong and Kidapawan.

In South Cotabato health personnel have been conducting house-to-house campaigns to promote the 4-S strategy:

- Search and destroy,

- Self-protection measures,

- Seek early consultation,

- Say NO to indiscriminate fogging.

TAWA-TAWA - In Fight Versus Dengue

A weed known as tawa-tawa has become a serious matter for the Department of Health in the Philippines (DOH), which is now considering the proposalsof herbalist and former health secretary Jaime Galvez Tan to fund a research on the plant as possible panacea to the fatal bleeding among dengue victims.

I experienced already eight dengue victims in my surroundings during the last months. Tawa-tawa and Durian (the fruit which smells hell but tastes heaven!) have been described by all doctors.

The weed Tawa-tawa is said to prevent hemorrhaging by normalizing platelet count in the blood. According to the latest DOT reports, dengue cases in the Philippines already breached the 90,000 mark. 

During a press-conference during a launch here of a two-day Generic Medicine Expo for Luzon, one could learn from Health Assistant Secretary elmer Punzalan about a joint project of the DOH and the National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management, in partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Tawa-tawa, scientifically known as "Euphorbia hirta" has been also experienced with the side effect encouraging frequent urination, that could lead to dehydration. 

Also other natural remedies, such as all red, orange and yellow-colored natural fruit juices, which are rich in antioxidants, and vitamins A and C could boost immunity against the dengue virus. 

Guys - stay safe always!

Philippine Boy Scouts Wage War versus Dengue

Dengue has found a formidable foe: the Philippine Boy Scouts. This after the two-million strong boy scouts of the Philippines decided to wage its own battle against the increasing cases of H-fever caused by the aides egypti mosquito.

"Scouts may be the next victims," secretary general J. Rizal C. Pangilinan said in a memorandum issued to BSP's 112 local councils and 10 scouting regions nationwide. I know about it, because I am still a passive member of this institution.

The nationwide campaign dubbed "Scouts Against Dengue" involves the holding of massive clean-up operations aimed at eradicating sources of dengue and the holding of information campaigns.

Scouts will conduct house-to-house campaigns and assist local government units in distributing anti-dengue leaflets. Scout units are encouraged to form their own groups in the campaign. 100 percent participation is really expected.

Amid the increasing number of cases and deaths, the Boy Scouts Philippines is called upon to do its share in the massive effort of helping minimize, if not totally eradicate, the deadly disease. BSP councils shoud to be cautious in conducting scouting activities like camping, hiking and other outdoor activities. All must be prepared by following certain guidelines being issued by the Department of Health and other health agencies against the dengue fever. 

As it has been mentioned several times before, my dear readers: "Prevention is still the best medicine. We must be always be prepared to help stop the spread of the disease!

Wage war against dengue!!!

Dengue - and no end!

While being back in Davao I received another interesting PNA-message from Iloilo City about predators' disappearances blamed for dengue rise - not ONLY in the Philippines.

An environmentalist lawyer, who has been assigned by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Iloilo chapter to assist the city government in prosecuting violators of environmental laws, has cited the disappearance of natural predators as one major setback in the fight against the spread of dengue fever.

Attorney Daniel Dinopol said natural predators in the barangays - such as frogs, insects and specially spiders - are fast disappearing. These could have helped in the battle against dengue, he said.

Honestly, I am always glad and happy to find spiders and frogs in my wild natural tropical garden here in the Philippines.

Listen to this: Dinopol said the friendly insects and spiders are part of the natural environmental cycle that kill the dengue-carrying mosquitoes, especially in stagnant and water-clogged areas. The spiders spun its web to trap the flying mosquitoes while frogs and other insects prey on the mosquito larvae as their food.

The lawyer also said the situation is further aggravated by the unrestricted use of pesticide that also killed spiders and other environmental-friendly insects. The Department of Environment and Natural resources and the Department of Agriculture should take steps in restricting the killing of these friendly insects, especially the spiders.

Dengue in The Philippines Getting More Worst!

More then 62,000 people in the Philippines got sick with dengue during the last eight months, according to the Department of health. But, health secretary Enrique Ona said the DOH is on top of the problem and there is no epidemic disease in the country. Not yet!

Cagayan officials placed two days ago the city under a state of calamity following their declaration of a dengue outbreak due to the sudden rise in dengue fever cases in the past two months, here. Tuguegarao City reported 323 dengue cases during the first eight months 2010. 

In Carmona, Cavite, anti dengue brigades have been formed in schools. Mayor Dahlia Loyola, a doctor by profession, and the municipal health officials started to mobilize the schoolchildren in the fight against dengue. Municipal health officials and personnel are training the children in safeguearing their schools and communities. And not only in Cavite... .

Of course, the deadly bite is coming from mosquitoes. And the thing is: a total eradication of them is indeed impossible, because they are part of biodiversity. The WHO (World Health Organisation) in the 1950s actually aimed for the eradication of mosquitoes, and the diseases they carry - as we could learn from Philippine Council for Health Research and Development Executive director Jaime Montoya. But what happened? The WHO didn't succeed. In 20 years time they just changed it "to control"... .

Prevention is the only chance to fight against mosquito bites... .

Ten Ways to Fight Dreaded Dengue!

1. Clean up your backyard. Mosquitoes love to stay in the dark and damp areas. So if your garage is littered with boxes and assorted garbage, clean them up or throw them away. Don't let them become mosquito havens. Schedule a weekend clean-up day. 

2. Empty containers with stagnant water. The dengue-carrying mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. this means that flower pots, garbage cans, aquariums 910, unused swimming pools (!), tires and other piles are potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So after the rains fill with them with water, throw the water away. Newt time, keep these containers closed and upside down. Flower vases should also be replaced weekly.

3. Check your surroundings for stagnant water. Some ornamental plants have this "whorl' or cup-like shape that can hold water water. beautiful to behold but deadly in design. Turn them over and throw the water away! Non-moving rivers, especially in squatter areas, are full of mosquito eggs.

4. Close your doors and windows! Some people open their doors in the morning for a whiff of fresh air. They also believe that mosquitoes would leave the house and go into the sun-light. No, they don't! Place a screen door that keeps the flies AND the mosquitoes outside.

5. Spray insecticide regularly. to rid your house of mosquitoes, flies and also cockroaches, spray it every few days! Make sure you spray those dark corners, crevices, and cabinets. You'll be amazed at the number of pests you'll find dead in the morning. But please, just spray selected rooms when people are not around!

6. Wear pants, pyjamas, long sleeves, and socks. Mosquitoes are attracted to your breath as you exhale so they know how to reach you even in the dark.

7. Apply insect-repellants or use mosquito nets. If your kids are going hiking, camping  or off to school, you can apply insect-repellants like OFF-lotion. Yes, it really works. Kids, of course, like to play outdoors and are prime targets of these killer animals. You can wipe it on selected areas of the clothing like collars, sleeves and pants. 

8. Kill those mosquitoes! When it comes to dengue, it's either kill or be killed! Instruct everyone to kill as many mosquitoes and flies as they can. Once you've got them trapped in your bathroom, show no mercy. 

9. Involve the whole community! The best way to defeat dengue is if the whole community is aware of the threat. Ask your community leaders to schedule a clean-up day! The danger is in empty houses and lots, which are excellent breeding places for mosquitoes. 

10. Spread the word: Dengue fever is here! You'll never know where dengue will strike next time, so better be prepared and inform your neighborhood!

Stay safe and healthy. I wish you all the best!!!

DENGUE - The Killer (Part II)

Dengue cases in Northern Mindanao have increased by 200 percent (!), the Department of Health in Region X said in its latest report. According to Emiliano Galban Jr., DOH X spokesman, 32 persons have been confirmed to the deadly mosquito borne disease while 2.345 (!) have been infected from January to June this year.

Galban said that this year's record is so far the highest in recent medical history of Northern Mindanao as there are more 1.777 (!) more cases recorded this year compared to last year's 568 cases.

Most of the infected persons are in Bukidnon. 

There are two new different types mosquito types such as AEDES and ANOPHELES, attacking especially Mindanao in the Philippines. The AEDES AEGYPTI is the insect you must avoid meeting if you don;t watch to catch dengue, while it is the female ANOPHELES from if you don't want to catch Malaria. Both are deadly and you don't want to catch any of them!

Both, dengue and malaria are also considered major hindrances to the economic growth of an area or a whole country.

There are many ways to fight dreaded dengue! Check it out here tomorrow!

Stay healthy, guys!

DENGUE - the Killer!

The fight against dengue is being brought already to the "barangay" level  at the City Health Office and the Department of Health here in Davao City, gathered together all "barangay" captains in a forum on their rule in fighting the spread of the disease. 

Davao city's good mayor Sara Inday Duterte told those in attendance that she is hopeful the "barangay" captains will give emphasis on fighting dengue in the community. Barangay Captains should delegate the work and monitor constituents. 

Bukidnon, so far, is now listed by the Department of Health as a "DENGUE HOTSPOT in Region 10 of the Philippines. Cagayan de Oro came into second with more or less 500 cases during the first six months of 2010. 10 persons have already died.

The municipality of Tagaloan was recorded as having the most number of dengue cases in Misamis Oriental, with 118. Health authorities believed that this increase of dengue incidence in Northern Mindanao is due to the onset of the rainy season.

"Practice cleaning your surroundings?"

HOW?

Check it out here on this website!

BLOODSUCKING TERRORISTS?

YES, THEY ARE HERE AND WAITING FOR YOU!!!