SURGE IN DENGUE CASES ANTICIPATED AS RAINY SEASON APPROACHES IN BAGUIO

BAGUIO CITY

Physician Donnabel Tibera-Panes, the chief of the Baguio City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit at the Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO), has sounded the alarm over a significant increase in dengue cases in the city. She highlighted that a considerable number of individuals have contracted the mosquito-borne disease from the beginning of the year through May 2024. The statistics reveal a worrying trend: 328 cases of dengue were reported from January to May 2024, a notable rise compared to the 284 cases recorded during the same period in the previous year.

Tibera-Panes attributed this surge in cases to the recent heavy rains in the city, which have created more favorable
conditions for mosquito breeding. She cautioned that the number of dengue cases might continue to rise as the rainy
season progresses, creating an even more conducive environment for mosquitoes. To combat this growing health concern, barangay officials across Baguio City have been directed to lead their communities in intensified cleaning efforts. These activities are crucial for destroying the breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, thereby reducing
the mosquito population and the risk of disease transmission.

In addition to community efforts, Tibera-Panes emphasized the importance of individual precautions. She advised the public, especially children, to wear protective clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts or jackets to minimize the risk of mosquito bites. By covering up, residents can significantly reduce their chances of contracting dengue. This combination of community-wide cleaning initiatives and personal protective measures is essential to controlling the spread of dengue in Baguio City.

Aaron Chance/UC-Intern

Amianan Balita Ngayon