DOH WV CHD activates dengue task force amid 10K cases, 20 deaths

The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) has activated its Regional Dengue Task Force and Inter-Agency collaboration to address the dengue outbreak in the region, where cases have reached 10,188 with 20 deaths from January 1 to August 3.

Dr. Bea Natalaray, a Medical Officer IV of the Infectious Disease Cluster, reported that the task force is involved in surveillance, supplies distribution, and hospital monitoring, and has conducted training for health workers in dengue case management and vector surveillance.

The inter-agency collaboration includes 12 government agencies to update on other infectious diseases and provide support for outbreak response.

Dengue cases this year are up by 114 percent compared to the same period last year, with Iloilo province recording 3,914 cases and Negros Occidental having six deaths each.

The DOH has provided mosquito control supplies, diagnostic kits, and treatment commodities to local government units, while emphasizing prevention activities for school-age children, particularly extending their 4S strategy in schools.