The death toll of the deadly dengue has gone up to 24 in 2012, said Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot, provincial health officer. He said in an interview that the death toll was among the 2,475 cases documented the entire year of 2012. In this month alone, the dengue believed to be caused by the aedes aegypti has already posted 61 cases without fatality, he added. The provincial government is always on the move and reminding the public for vigilance and task of cleaning up the surroundings to prevent mosquito-borne illness to thrive as the death toll worsens and becoming dengue-rous. As a doctor of medicine by profession, Dr. Cabagnot reminded those relatives concerned not to take the illness for granted. He issued an advice to consult the doctor immediately whenever symptoms on the patients occur. Provincial Health Office said it has intensified the awareness and preventive campaign against dengue and urged the populace to practice the 4S Kontra Dengue strategy: Search and Destroy, Seek early consultation, Self-protective measures and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

The practice of 4’oclock habit thru cleaning up the surroundings such as eliminating its habitat will continue. Emptying containers where mosquitoes preferred to breed, such as coconut husks, bottles, old tires, tin cans, roof gutters, and even flower vases empty or dry, must be pursued everyday, said Cabagnot. Other preventive measures include “People can prevent mosquito bites by wearing clothing that fully covers the skin, using mosquito netting while resting, and/or the application of insect repellent ( DEET being the most effective).” Bohol posted a total of more than 2,700 in 2010 dengue cases; 623 cases in 2009. The total of 2,102 cases in 2008 surpassed the1,679 mark in 2007. Bohol experienced 231 cases and 3 deaths in 2006; 1,113 and 21 deaths in 2005; 283 and 5 deaths in 2004; 365 and 3 deaths in 2003; 289 and 2 deaths in 2002; 712 cases and 5 deaths in 2001; and 70 and zero deaths in 2000,based on the PHO ten-year data. (RVO)