The Municipal Health Office of Calauan, Laguna has declared a state of public health emergency due to a sharp rise in dengue cases in the town, prompting intensified misting and fogging operations across barangays.
"This will hasten po the standard procedures with regards to procurement — with regards to hiring of additional resources po,” Dr. Magtangol Jose Carait IV, Calauan's Municipal Health Officer, said.
“And then we would have access po to a certain part of the fund ng LGU that can help us po with actions that we need to take," Carait added.
From the usual average of 60-80 cases annually, the number of dengue cases in Calauan exceeded the threshold, reaching 174 cases from January to August 2024.
One death has been reported, as of this writing.
"Of the 174 po, there were nine confirmed cases, 165 na probable cases, and 38 suspected cases po. So, 'yung 174 po 'yung [total ng] confirmed and probable po," Carait said.
HOTSPOTS
At least two barangays have been identified as dengue hotspots, with a high concentration of cases. These areas are densely populated and represent the rural-urban parts of Calauan.
"Dahil po 'yung areas na 'yun medyo highly congested po with regards to the population. 'Yun po kasi 'yung medyo rural-urban part po ng Calauan," Carait said.
The local government is urging residents to heighten their vigilance and adhere to the 4S strategy against dengue:
- Search and Destroy mosquito breeding sites.
- Seek Early Consultation when symptoms appear.
- Secure Self-Protection measures.
- Support Misting operations.
Health authorities remind residents that simply memorizing the 4S strategy is not enough. Action is necessary to keep the environment clean and free of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
