Bacolod City – Residents of Bacolod have been called to rekindle their commitment to the 4 o’clock habit of tidying their surroundings, a response to the escalating dengue fever outbreak that has seen a dramatic increase in cases.
According to Philippines News Agency, there has been a nearly 118 percent surge in dengue cases from January to mid-August this year compared to the same timeframe last year. The city health officer, Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, highlighted that the period from August 11 to 17 alone recorded 192 new cases, a rise from the 168 cases noted the previous week.
The Department of Health (DOH) has advocated for the 4 o’clock habit, a daily cleanup initiative at 4 PM, aiming to eradicate potential breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the carriers of the dengue virus. This campaign forms part of the broader ‘4S’ strategy, which includes searching and destroying mosquito breeding sites, self-protection measures, seeking early medical consultation for persistent fever, and resisting indiscriminate fogging. The CHO has identified water in uncovered containers within homes or buildings as the most common breeding sites in Bacolod.
Statistical data from the CHO shows that from January 1 to August 17, Bacolod registered 794 dengue cases, including three fatalities, a significant increase from the 365 cases recorded over the same period in 2023. The barangays most affected include Taculing with 88 cases, Bata with 79, Villamonte with 61, Estefania with 48, and Mansilingan with 46. Despite the sharp rise in hospital admissions due to dengue, the DOH has not directed the city to declare an official outbreak. However, the department sends weekly teams to monitor and evaluate the barangays with high incidence of the disease.
In combating the spread of dengue, the CHO continues to send advisories, conduct fogging in schools and public spaces, and distribute larvicides and adulticides to the community. Dr. Gensoli encourages all Bacolodnons to participate in the cleaning efforts, noting that community involvement is crucial in managing the dengue crisis effectively.