BACOLOD CITY – A team from the Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) has been deployed to Negros Occidental to assist in curbing the increasing dengue incidence in the province – which has now the highest number of cases in the region.

On Friday, the region’s “Sabayang 4-5-6” campaign was launched in La Carlota City to push for the adoption of the 4S strategy led by five teams in the local government units (LGUs) and barangays across Region 6 (Western Visayas).

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson acknowledged that the uptick in mosquito-borne disease cases in Negros Occidental can already be considered “alarming”.

“The region (is) sending a team here to focus on the dengue situation. I understand we’re number one now as to cases of dengue. We can say that (it’s alarming) that’s why they’re here to help,” he said.

The latest data released by the DOH-6 showed Negros Occidental has a total of 1,869 cases, including ten deaths, from January 1 to July 2 this year, which is 777% higher compared to the more than 200 cases recorded during the same period in 2021.

From June 26 to July 2 alone, some 185 new cases, with three deaths, were reported in the province.

During the campaign launch, the Provincial Health Office, led by Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, and Dr. Jessica Fama, assistant provincial health officer, affirmed the commitment of Negros Occidental to dengue preparedness and response.

The Sabayang 4-5-6 campaign, unique to Western Visayas, seeks to introduce and implement additional measures to existing solutions and steps to address dengue at the barangay level.

The “4S” strategy includes “search and destroy,” “self-protection measures,” “seeking early consultation,” and “support spraying activities”.

The five teams identified to lead the campaign comprise those in health education, fever surveillance, logistics, data management, and vector control and surveillance. PNA

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