Capiz, Philippines under state of impending dengue outbreak

Gov declares Capiz under state of impending dengue outbreak
by Jemin B. Guillermo

Roxas City (26 July) — Capiz has been declared as under the state of an impending outbreak of dengue cases.
Governor Victor Tanco has issued Executive Order No. 38, series of 2010 last July 23, which declares the entire province of Capiz under the state of an impending outbreak of dengue cases based on the records in the 16 towns here, including Roxas City.

In said Order, Tanco directed the local chief executives of the local government units, barangay officials and other government officials concerned to take urgent, necessary and appropriate actions to avert a full-blown dengue fever epidemic.
The governor also ordered said local chief executives to immediately create a task force composed of a composite team to prepare and outrightly implement a working plan to prevent and control the occurrence and prevalence of dengue fever in their respective areas through its Rural Health Units and barangay officials.

The task force, the Order said, will provide advisory guidelines and materials down to the household levels primarily to destroy the breeding places of mosquito-dengue fever carriers.

“All government/district hospitals and private hospitals are likewise urged to provide appropriate medical attention to dengue patients and likewise help in the dissemination of health advisory to all patients and their folks for a better understanding of said disease and its causes,” Tanco ordered.

He added that the provincial health Office shall not only continue to coordinate with established Disease Reporting Units (DRUs) but also provide the needed guidelines and advisories so that the Local Chief Executives, barangay officials and Rural Health Units be properly guided in their functions.

Tanco also directed the Provincial Director of the Philippine National Police to coordinate with the LGUs in the enforcement and carrying out of EO 38.

Likewise, he called on the Schools Division Superintendent and her/his assistants to conduct at their own level and in all schools an awareness of the impending dengue outbreak in Capiz to help and assist in the prevention and control of dengue disease.

Tanco finally urges all the people in the province to cooperate and work hand in hand with the provincial and local officials in all matters that are aimed to prevent and control dengue fever.

From January to July 17 this year, the Provincial Health Office disclosed that Capiz has already recorded 1,044 dengue cases with 8 deaths already, which is significantly higher than the 306 cases recorded for the entire 2009. (PIA)

PIA Press Release
2010/07/26

Source http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p100726.htm&no=23