Health Secretary Enrique Ona says that “instead of confining patients in a hospital facility, parents and caregivers can practice the D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy.” D.E.N.G.U.E. stands for the following:
D – Daily monitoring of patient’s status should be done.
E – Encourage intake of oral fluids like oresol (oral rehydration solution), water, and juices.
N – Note any dengue warning signs like persistent vomiting and bleeding.
G – Give paracetamol for fever and not aspirin, because aspirin induces bleeding.
U – Use mosquito nets.
E – Early consultation is advised for any warning signs.
The new D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy aims to educate the public on home treatment for mild dengue cases and help decongest hospitals, now overcrowded with dengue patients.
Records show that the number of dengue cases nationwide reached 62,503 from January to August 21, which is 88.8% higher than last year’s 33,102 for the same period. So far, 465 deaths have been recorded this year compared to 350 deaths for the whole of last year.
The 4-S strategy
Ona reiterates that the most effective way to prevent and fight dengue is still by practicing the DOH’s 4-S strategy:
- Search and destroy.
- Self-protective measures.
- Seek early treatment.
- Say no to indiscriminate fogging.
“There is still no cure or vaccine for dengue and that is why we must focus on other cost-effective interventions, the most important of which is source reduction – destroy the dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” says Ona.
He also reminds the public that dengue, although a year-round disease, is more common during the rainy season when there are more breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the dengue virus. To prevent dengue, Ona advises destroying all possible mosquito breeding sites like old tires, soft drink bottles and tin cans, and using mosquito nets and protective clothing. Read the complete article here. Read the complete article here.
Photo by Anjo de Batalha on Flickr.
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