Philippines: Dengue and chikungunya in Davao City
Dengue fever
The Davao City Health Office (CHO), through its Tropical Division, has intensified its search and destroy activities to combat the spread of Dengue in the city.
Melodina Babante, Head of CHO’s Tropical Division, during the ISpeak Media Forum said that they have strengthened their initiatives on the search and destruction of possible mosquito breeding sites to curtail the cases of Dengue in the city.
She said that instead of relying on chemical interventions like fogging and misting activities, members of the community should be more proactive in searching and destroying of possible mosquito breeding sites.
“Gina-intensify namo nga atoang himuon ang pagpanglimpyo sa palibot, katong ginaingon nato na part sa 5s nato nga search and destroy the possible breeding sites of Aedes mosquitos kay kana gyud ang pinaka-grassroot sa problema kung hugaw ang palibot dili lang Dengue nga sakit ang makuha sa community (We are intensifying the clean-up activities, especially the search and destruction of possible breeding sites of Aedes mosquitoes, as this is the root cause of our problems especially because people may acquire other diseases not only dengue from unclean environments),” Babante said.
She emphasized the role of the community in the fight against dengue, especially the responsibility of every individual in maintaining the cleanliness of the environment.
Mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti thrive in stagnant waters often found in containers, tires, and pots among others.
In 2024, the CHO Tropical Division recorded 7,089 confirmed dengue cases with 55 deaths. This is higher than the 2023 record of 6,784 cases.
Babante also shared that although several barangays have already heed their call to create their own Dengue Task Force, there are still a lot of barangays (villages) that are yet to comply with the City Ordinance No. 0401-20, Series of 2020.
Under this ordinance, barangays are mandated to create their own Barangay Mosquito-Borne Diseases Task Force (BMDTF).
In 2024, 54 barangays already created their own BMDTF.
Babante said they have noticed a decrease in the number of dengue cases in barangays that have their own Dengue Task Force.
The CHO also continues to strengthen their Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns in barangays to educate the community on the 5S and the things that they can do to prevent the spread of Dengue.
Dabawenyos are also urged to maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings, and practice the 5S strategies including the searching and destruction of possible mosquito breeding sites, practice self-protective measures, seek early medical consultation, sustained hydration, and support activities like outdoor fogging and spraying.
Chikungunya
The Davao City Health Office (CHO) is monitoring five suspected cases of chikungunya in Davao City, with an increasing number reported in Barangay 9-A.
Melodina Babante, chief of CHO’s Tropical Division, confirmed that an initial investigation identified chikungunya in the area, though final confirmation is pending.
Health authorities implemented several measures to curb the rise in chikungunya cases. These include widespread information campaigns to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of keeping surroundings clean.
In addition, search-and-destroy operations to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and conducted fogging in response to the increasing cases.
In 2024, the City Health Office recorded 12 chikungunya cases across various barangays in Davao City. Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 383 chikungunya cases nationwide from January to March 2024, a significant increase from just 71 cases in 2023.