DENGUE cases increased by 4.5% in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, a City Health Office (CHO) official revealed on Tuesday.
CHO recorded 7,089 confirmed incidents from January to December 2024 against the 6,784 cases in 2023. The mortality rate, on the other hand, was up slightly with 55 deaths in 2024 compared to 52 deaths in 2023.
Melodina Babante, CHO-Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Division coordinator, said one of the factors for the increase was failing to cascade the preventative measures down to the barangay level.
For instance, only 54 of the 182 barangays have an active and functional Mosquito-Borne Diseases Task Force (BMDTF). The task force is responsible for monitoring and surveillance of unattended mosquito breeding sites in the barangay to purok level.
“The challenge is how we encourage the members of the community that they also have a responsibility,” Babante told the reporters.
According to the report of CHO- Tropical Division, there were 141 cases from January 1-15 with one recorded death, which is slightly lower than the same period in 2024 with 225 cases with zero deaths.
Barangay Bucana topped the dengue hotspot, followed by Buhangin, Calinan, Catalunan Grande, Tibungco proper, Talomo proper, Sasa, Maa, Indangan, and Marilog.
Babante said that Bucana has no active Barangay Mosquito-Borne Diseases Task Force due to a lack of proper coordination among the barangay officials.
“Sa among natan-aw nga mga barangay nag aduna nay task force, dako ang pagkunhod sa ilang cases, like Buhangin ug sa Vicente Hizon, Maa,” she added.
She stressed they are looking into possible administrative penalties on non-compliant barangays.
Each barangay chairman is mandated to organize and submit a list of the members of his BMDTF within 15 days after the approval of the mayor and the publication of the IRR of City Ordinance No. 0401-20 or the Davao City Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention and Control Program.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte also signed the IRR of City Ordinance No. 0401-20 set forth under the EO 25 series of 2023 on September 25, 2023, despite the ordinance being approved in 2020.
To note, on July 1, 2024, Duterte issued a memorandum to all barangay chairpersons to activate their BMDTF 15 days after receipt of the memo. All barangays, despite having no dengue cases, are mandated to put up a task force.
The CHO and City Mayor’s Office are set to conduct a simultaneous cleanup drive in barangays by the first quarter of 2024 to combat the dengue before it peaks in June.
Following the cleanup drive, the Anti-Dengue Ordinance will be implemented. All households found to have breeding sites will receive a citation ticket.
Violators shall be held liable to a fine amounting to P1,000 with a two-day community service for the first offense. For the second offense, offenders shall be fined P3,000 and a four-hour community service; while for the third offense, violators shall be fined a P5,000 and a four-hour community service.
