With the reported rise in dengue fever cases in the country, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo on Wednesday called on all local chief executives to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its effort to contain the spread of the disease.

Robredo said there was a need for coordinated efforts among all concerned national government agencies and local government units to lessen the prevalence of the mosquito-borne disease.  

The National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health has reported a total of 40,648 dengue cases in different sentinel hospitals nationwide from January 1 to July 31, 2010, which is a 48% higher than the 27,472 cases recorded last year.

In a directive to all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays, the DILG Secretary called for intensified information and education campaign on dengue fever and appropriate preventive and control measures.

He said local executives should enforce environmental sanitation such as dredging of clogged canals, esteros and other waterways; pruning thick bushes or tree branches; and removal or draining of receptacles containing stagnant water.

He also reminded local officials not to conduct indiscriminate fogging unless there was an outbreak of the disease in their areas.

“The public should undertake self-protection measures such as wearing long-sleeved shirts, and pants and using mosquito nets at night and repellants during daytime. They should immediately consult a doctor in case they are experiencing symptoms of the disease,” said Robredo.

Some of the symptoms of dengue are sudden onset of high fever which may last from 2 to 7 days; joint and muscle pains including pain behind the eyes; weakness; skin rashes; nosebleeding;  abdominal pain; vomiting of coffee-colored matter ;and having
dark-colored stools.

There are currently no vaccines for Dengue fever, a severe flu-like illness also called as breakbone fever.###