CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has declared a dengue outbreak in 6 barangays in the Central Visayas region.
The affected areas are barangays Guadalupe, Labangon, and Tisa in Cebu City; Cogon and Dao in Bohol province; and, Daro in Negros Oriental, according to DOH regional director Dr. Susana Madarieta.
Cebu barangays Apas, Hipodromo, Mambaling, Lahug, Mabolo, and Talamban were also placed under the epidemic threshold level, Madarieta said.
Around 8,708 dengue cases have been recorded in Central Visayas this year, up 75% from the 4,961 in 2009.
At least 63 people have died of the disease in the region this year, DOH records show.
Madarieta, however, warned local officials against launching improper “misting” operations against dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s website, outdoor residential misting systems are designed to spray pesticides in a fine mist to kill mosquitoes and other insects outdoors.
“Misting systems include spray nozzles that are mounted around the perimeter of a home in the lawn or landscaping, or on parts of the house or fence. The spray nozzles are connected by tubing to a supply of insecticide,” the agency said.
The EPA has warned that such systems could be dangerous. “People and pets may be exposed to pesticides used in a residential misting system through direct contact with sprays, by touching plants or other objects in the treated area, or by inhaling small amounts of pesticide remaining in the air,” it added.
“Search and destroy is still the most effective and less expensive way of prevention” in the fight against dengue-carrying mosquitoes, according to Madarieta. – with a report from Reno Tallada, ABS-CBN Central Visayas