Department of Education (DepEd) XI officials want to erase the perception that schools are the main transmission area for dengue, saying it is unfair for the institution.
On Monday, DepEd XI spokesperson Jenielito Atillo, said whenever there’s a death caused by dengue, people are quick to suspect the school.
“You have to remember that mosquitos fly everywhere, it does not stay in schools only. What I mean here is that we can get dengue anywhere,” he said.
“Our call is to continue on with the effort to curb the dengue problem like making sure the surroundings are clean, and in DepEd we have programs for the health of our children,” he said.
From the record of the City Health Office, there were already five deaths caused by dengue as of June 2019, particularly in Lubogan, Toril, Banto, Toril, Bunawan, Barangay 76-A in New Matina SIR, and Talomo South.
From January to June this year, they already recorded 937 dengue cases, which represented a 29% increase over the same period last year.
The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to apply the enhanced 4-S strategy in their households, which is also applicable for schools.
The 4-S stands for Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites; employ Self-protection measures (i.e. wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellent), Seek early consultation, and Support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas. A hotspot refers to an area whose increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks.
