TACLOBAN CITY – Samar province was placed under a state of calamity on Thursday due to the alarming rise of dengue fever cases.
Provincial board members approved the resolution declaring Samar under the status, heeding the recommendations of the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council.
From January up to the second week of August 2024, the province has recorded 2,013 dengue cases in 24 towns and two cities. This is up by 307 percent from last year’s 482 cases.
The mosquito-borne illness has already claimed 10 lives in Samar this year.
“This unwelcome development commands urgent action from the province to mitigate control and eventually eliminate dengue infection,” the resolution stated.
The local government urged the public to practice the 5S in dengue protection. These are search and destroy dengue breeding places, self-protection measures, seeking early consultation, supporting fogging activities, and sustaining hydration.
Meanwhile, Calbayog City, also in Samar, was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday by the members of the city council due to rising cases of dengue fever.
The declaration is based on the resolution of the local health board after the special meeting led by Mayor Raymund Uy in response to the endorsement by the regional coordinator of the emerging and re-emerging infectious disease program of the Department of Health.
Records from the city health office showed that the city recorded 422 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Aug. 17, which is five times higher than the 83 cases recorded in the same period last year.
The city also logged two dengue-related deaths this year.
At least 57 of the 157 villages in the city are affected by dengue, including the 20 villages within the city proper.
Mayor Raymund Uy ordered residents to continue conducting clean-up drives, particularly the search and destruction of mosquito breeding sites.
Last week, the city mayor issued a memorandum ordering all city government employees to participate in the citywide clean-up drive and ordering village officials to check the attendance of all employees who participate in said activity.
This will be continued this week, according to the city mayor, to ensure cleanliness and eradicate all possible mosquito breeding sites.
“We will also check over the weekend all schools within the city proper to do mitigating measures to prevent the spread of dengue in schools to protect children from getting infected by dengue,” Uy said in a social media post.
He added that with the declaration of a state of calamity, the city government may now use the quick response fund.
Calbayog is the third city in the region to declare a state of calamity due to dengue, after Ormoc City and Maasin City. (SQM/PNA)
