The city government of Zamboanga in coordination with barangay officials has conducted vector-borne disease prevention and control activities, among other measures and actions taken in a bid to stem the continuing tide of dengue cases.

This, as the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit has reported 78 new dengue cases from May 29 to June 4, representing a 1.460% increase compared to the same period last year, and 37% higher from the five-year average (2017-2021) of 57 cases in the same period.

No death was reported for this morbidity week, but the city has exceeded the epidemic threshold.

The vector-borne disease prevention and control activities include mobilization of the community to implement together the 4S strategy, particularly on weekly search and destroy of all types of breeding sites, natural or man-made; de-clogging and cleaning operation on canals, and reactivation of the Barangay Anti-dengue Teams.

In addition, the City Health Office (CHO) has also conducted fogging activities, entomological survey in barangays with highest incidence rate, advised district health centers and barangay health stations for prompt reporting of new cases in the barangay, daily dengue surveillance monitoring among hospitals and health centers, among others.

A house-to-house entomological survey was conducted in barangays with the highest incidence rate of dengue, such as Calarian, Sta. Maria, Cabatangan, Pasonanca, San Roque, Culianan, Boalan and Tetuan. The results showed that these barangays had exceeded the threshold values.

Vectors identified were Aedes aegypti (83%), Aedes albopictus (14%), and Culex (3%). The 78 new dengue cases brought the cumulative total to 2,377 dengue cases reported from January 1 to June 4, 2022 (MW 1-22). This is 1,848% higher compared to the same period in 2021 (n=122), and 207% higher from the five-year average of 774 cases, same time period. Epidemic threshold was exceeded for 13 consecutive morbidity weeks.-(Vic Larato)