The City Health Office (CHO) has tallied 51 dengue hospital admissions as of May 1, with dengue cases continuing to soar in Zamboanga City.

From January 1 to April 23, dengue cases have hit 1,444 with 14 recorded deaths.

To curb dengue cases, residents are strongly urged to observe 4 o’clock habit with the 4S Kontra Dengue, which involves measures to search and destroy breeding sites, particularly stagnant waters; seek early consultation; use self-protection such as insect repellent and using long sleeves and pants; and say ‘yes’ to fogging in areas where cases are high

As of April 23, barangays with high dengue cases are: Tetuan (97), San Roque (93), Santa Maria (90), Mercedes (75), Putik (73), Pasonanca (70), Tumaga (64), Calarian (52), Divisoria (48), Boalan (46), Culianan (44), Guiwan (42), San Jose Gusu (39), Tugbungan (37), and Cabatangan (35).

Last April, a dengue outbreak was declared over the city as cases exceeded dengue epidemic thresholds for 4 consecutive weeks.

Dengue is transmitted through a bite of dengue-infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.  These mosquitoes can lay eggs in any space or container that holds clear and stagnant water like a bottle cap, dish dryer, plant axil, gutter, trash can, old rubber tire.

They usually bite between 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset and can be found inside and outside the house. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)