By QUISHELLE GAHID
www.nordis.net

LAGAWE, Ifugao — According to Ifugao Governor Eugene Balitang, Dengue is an unpredictable illness which is best avoided through a clean environmental and proper hygiene.

Balitang said the Department of Health (DOH) and the Local Government Units (LGU) are coordinating programs to heighten public awareness through information and education campaigns among the people of Ifugao as a practical defense against a dengue outbreak.

Reported cases in Ifugao show there is a rise. Two hundred forty five (245) individuals are reported infected by dengue. Kiangan municipality has the most number of cases with 87, followed by Lagawe and Hungduan with 30 each. There are 18 in Banaue; Hingyon, 16; Lamut, 9; Asipulo, 3; and Tinoc, 2. This prompted the provincial health office to raise the alarm in the province.

Dengue is a viral disease common during rainy season. It is transmitted by a mosquito called “Aedes aegypti” and “Aedes albopictus. Health officials warned the public to get rid of any possible breeding place of the said mosquitos.

Committee on Health Chairman Hon. Jordan Gullitiw, Board Member I, said that the committee is drafting an ordinance creating a dengue surveillance team. He added that they wrote all chiefs of hospital and RHUs to prepare their 5-year procurement screening and diagnostic equipment.
Gullitiw also stated that they are proposing to purchase the equipment that detects the dengue infection at an earliest stage.# nordis.net