Melodina Babante, coordinator of the Tropical Diseases Prevention and Control Unit of CHO said that from January to June this year, the city has recorded 2,117 dengue cases, which is lower compared to the 2,876 cases recorded in the same period last year.
“Although there is a minimal decrease in cases, we should not let our guard down because the decrease is connected to the dry season we experienced in the previous months,” she said in a report from the City Information Office.
Babante, however, said they are expecting an increase in the number of dengue cases since the city has been experiencing lots of rain since last week of May.
“We expect an increase in the number of dengue cases in Davao City, especially if the community does not support the interventions and prevention of the problem,” she said.
Babante emphasized the need for the creation of a dengue task force in the barangays as one way of ensuring that the community cooperates in the city government’s intervention and prevention efforts.
To further strengthen the fight against dengue in the city, the City Government of Davao issued a memorandum mandating all 182 barangays of the city to create their Barangay Mosquito-Borne Diseases Task Force (BMDTF).
However, she said that out of the 182 barangays here only 32 barangays have a BMDTF.
She said the creation of the BMDTF will help “prevent incidences of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases that are rampant during rainy season.”
Babante during Thursday’s media forum said the memorandum is in line with City Ordinance 0401-20 series of 2020, or the Davao City Mosquito-Borne Diseases Prevention and Control Program, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations stipulated under Executive Order No. 25, series of 2023.
She added that in line with the memorandum released on July 1, the CHO is planning to conduct another forum with the barangay captains to discuss the process of structuring a BMDTF. They also plan to discuss the rationale behind the creation of the BMDTF to emphasize its importance especially in properly addressing dengue cases.
The memorandum also mandates barangays to coordinate with the Tropical Diseases Unit of the CHO for the conduct of intensified Information and Education Campaign in their areas.
Babante continuously urged Davaoeños to practice the 4S strategies or search and destroy mosquito breeding areas, seeking self-protection measures; seeking early medical consultation, and supporting fogging/spraying in hotspot areas.
Davaoeños are also encouraged to cooperate with the CHO’s intervention and prevention efforts against dengue.
Melodina Babante, CHO Coordinator of the Tropical Diseases Prevention and Control Unit