DOH-MMCHD commemorates Dengue Awareness Month ahead of new school year
The Department of Health - Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) led the commemoration of Dengue Awareness Month at the Esteban Abada Elementary School in Quezon City on Thursday.
In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of the Interior and Local Government, (DILG) and the city government, the event aims to encourage schools to take proactive steps to prevent the spread of dengue amid the rainy season and before the new school year starts.
The World Health Organization describes dengue as a "mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication."
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea, and rashes. A person with dengue may experience the symptoms four to 10 days after a mosquito bite.
During the event, DOH Regional Director Lester Tan said the risk of dengue can be lowered with the simple collective actions of 'Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, at Takip'—turn over water containers, tap their bottoms to get the drops out, dry the container, and cover them, to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito.
'Dengue prevention is a shared responsibility and every member of the community has a role to play by maintaining cleanliness, participating in LGU-led clean-up activities and ensuring timely medical consultation if anyone experienced dengue symptoms,' Tan said.
The event also included the installment of Insecticide-Treated Screens (ITS) and ovitraps in classrooms, as well as targeted indoor and outdoor residual spraying for protection of students.
'The ceremonial installation of insecticide-treated screens and ovitraps is not merely a symbolic act but a decisive step in our fight against mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue, which continues to pose a significant public health challenge. Let us continue to work hand in hand with the local government, parents, and community stakeholders toward creating a safer and more resilient learning environment,' he added.
DOH also emphasized their collaboration with NCR LGUs in implementing community-based programs to mitigate dengue. — BM, GMA Integrated News
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