MANILA – The Department of Health yesterday advised the public to clean their surroundings particularly of stagnant water as it recorded death toll from dengue reaching 328 from January to July 14 this year alone.

In the DOH latest data, 51,597 dengue cases were reported from January 1 to July 14 this year, which is 16.43 percent higher compared to the 44,315 for the same period last year. There were already 328 deaths recorded for the period compared to the 293 in 2011.

Most of the cases came from the National Capital Region with 11,476 or 22.24 percent; Region IV-A, 7,265 (14.08 percent); and Region III, 7,044 (13.65 percent).

Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH program manager for Emerging and Re-Emerging Disease, appealed to the public to clean their surroundings as dengue cases usually peak from August to September.

Suy said everyone must make sure that there is no stagnant water in possible breeding places of dengue-carrier mosquitoes like pots, cans, old tires and "even grasses with water."

The DOH campaign is anchored on the 4S advocacy: Search and Destroy possible breeding places of dengue-causing mosquitoes; Self protective measures such as wearing long sleeves and pants or using mosquito repellant; Seek early consultation or a doctor for immediate diagnosis or treatment of the disease; and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.*PNA

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