To help eliminate the dengue menace in Zamboanga, the City Health Office continuously steps up its anti-dengue campaign dubbed “Alarma Contra Dengue” by mobilizing all resources available both in government and in the private sector.

Last Friday, as part of the advocacy to reach out to all residents of the city, the CHO continued the distribution of the fliers and other anti-dengue information materials through the use of helicopters courtesy of the Edwin Andrews Air Base 3rd Air Division.

“This forms part of our prevention and control measures,” City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos said stressing that the city government is doing everything possible to help reduce the cases of dengue which has reached the outbreak level in Zamboanga.

As of last week, the number of dengue cases registered has reached 1,833 with 20 fatalities since January this year.

The fliers being distributed urge people to search and destroy breeding places of the dengue carrier mosquito by emptying stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and flower pots.

Agbulos stressed that the prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue.

Meanwhile, the City Health officer said the Citywide clean up drive conducted September 2, was well participated as 60-70 percent of the barangays took part in the campaign.

He emphasized that the prevention and control of dengue lies mainly on the efforts of the barangay folks and the residents themselves and cleanliness and sanitation is the most effective way in eliminating the breeding places of the dengue carrier mosquitoes.

This week, the CHO and other agencies supporting in the anti-dengue drive will continue the distribution of fliers, posting of information and education communication materials on streets, public places and health centers citywide.

The citywide cleanup campaign will likewise be conducted every first Saturday and last Saturdya of the month, Agbulos added.