DAVAO CITY – In a concerted effort to curb the spread of dengue, the Davao City Health Office (CHO) is stepping up its preventive measures, calling on the community to take an active role in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. Melodina Babante, who leads the CHO’s Tropical Disease Division, reported a rise in dengue cases to 7,089 in 2024, with 55 fatalities, up from 6,784 cases and 53 deaths the previous year. To tackle this issue, the CHO is rolling out educational campaigns across various barangays, focusing on the ‘5S’ dengue prevention tactics. These include searching for and destroying mosquito breeding sites, using self-protection methods, seeking early medical advice, supporting targeted fogging operations, and ensuring proper hydration. Babante stressed the importance of community involvement, urging residents to keep their surroundings clean and adhere to the 5S strategies. Additionally, she noted that 54 barangays have established Dengue Task Forces in line with City Ordinance No. 0401-20, Series of 2020, which requires the formation of Barangay Mosquito-Borne Diseases Task Forces.
