City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite emphasized anew the need for people to adopt the 4S strategy against the mosquito-borne disease.

Miravite said this amidst mounting cases of dengue fever reported in the city and the mosquito swarm in two schools this week.

The 4S Contra Dengue is said to be an effective strategy to prevent cases and deaths. It consists of search and destroy mosquito breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation and say no to indiscriminate fogging.

Miravite said sustained cleanliness in surroundings to eliminate all possible breeding sites of mosquitoes to include trash piles, bottles, dirty surroundings and by emptying containers of stagnant waters.

To protect one’s self from bites of adult mosquitoes, people should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, use mosquito repellents and or mosquito net when sleeping. If with fever, seek early consultation.

On the other hand, Miravite said the fogging and spraying should only be done in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered or where the presence of mosquitoes is evident. “Fumigation is not an end-all solution for our dengue problem but we do this because we have to control the adult population of mosquitoes.”

Meanwhile, immediately after receiving the report about mosquito swarm at the Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School (ICAS) in Tetuan Thursday, CHO team went to check the area and did fumigation and spray with use of misting machines. Larvicides were also provided to eliminate mosquito breeding places, according to the city health officer.

The mosquito swarm at the ICAS and Zamboanga City High School Tuesday happened after the school’s drainage system was flooded due to rains the past days.  (Sheila Covarrubias)