Dengue cases last year almost doubled the preceding record, prompting health officials to draft a more intensive campaign this year.

The Provincial Health Office intensified the 4S campaign of the Department of Health, complemented by misting operations, while the application of dengue vaccine is still focused on the National Capital Region (Central Luzon) and Region IV-A (Calabarzon) that posted almost half of the 92,000 cases recorded in the entire country.

The 4S stands for Search and destroy (breeding sites of mosquito), Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, and Say “No” to indiscriminate fogging.

Provincial health officer, Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot, confirmed that the province recorded 2,600 dengue cases in 2015 which is almost double the 2014 record of 1,695 dengue cases.

The number included 13 deaths from dengue in 2015 which is more than double to the six deaths recorded in 2014.

On this, Cabagnot continued to appeal for cooperation from the public in cleaning their surroundings to eliminate the breeding areas of mosquitoes that bring dengue virus.

The primary signs and symptoms of dengue fever, noticeable in three to 15 days after a mosquito bite, “include high fever and severe headache, with severe pain behind the eyes that is apparent when trying to move the eyes. Other associated symptoms are joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding”, according to experts.

During the rounds of the Epidemiology Surveillance Unit of PHO last year, damaged dwellings abandoned since the October 2013 earthquake in the towns and piles of garbage in school premises had been among the mosquito breeding sites spotted.

The recent dengue statistics might be lower than the 2013 record, but Cabagnot said it is alarming that a preventable disease had led to deaths.

In 2013, dengue cases reached 3,590 with 26 deaths.

The most number of deaths in five years was recorded in 2012, reaching 21 of the 2,404 cases.

The PHO also recorded 2,700 dengue cases in 2010; 623 cases in 2009; 2,102 cases in 2008; 1,679 cases in 2007; 231 cases and three deaths in 2006; 1,113 and 21 deaths in 2005; 283 and five deaths in 2004; 365 and three deaths in 2003; 289 and two deaths in 2002; 712 cases and five deaths in 2001; and 70 in 2000, with death.

The Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit of DOH-7 might make another round to dengue-prone areas in Bohol.

To complement the 4S campaign, misting operations had been conducted in areas with high incidence of dengue such as Sagbayan and fogging operations in Tagbilaran City.

The situation worsened in August last year that a dengue outbreak was declared in Sagbayan because of the sudden rise of dengue cases.

The drought prompted households, specially in remote areas, to store water where uncovered containers became breeding grounds of mosquito.

Other areas that caught the attention of health officials were Bilar, Jagna, Garcia-Hernandez, Carmen, Guindulman, Dauis, Tubigon, Panglao, Cortes and Sagbayan, and Tagbilaran City.

Batuan, Bilar Clarin and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia are also given pro-active attention considering that they were among the areas that posted dengue deaths in the past.

The five deaths from dengue in 2013 were recorded in these towns and Tagbilaran City.

The PHO reminds the public to avoid growing complacent whenever dengue cases tend to decrease in their areas and, instead, continue the habit of cleaning their surroundings to control the spread of dengue virus in the neighborhood.