So many lives have been lost cause of dengue. I for one,
have someone close to me who has been affected by this deadly disease. Dengue
is a a preventive disease if only we take precautions as a community and as a
family.
This year, we has
seen a noticeable mount of dengue cases in the country. According to the Department of Health‟s Dengue
Surveillance Report, 95,142 victims have been affected by the
mosquito-born disease in the first nine months of 2012 alone. A significant 12.94% increase from last year‟s
same period, this turnaround left even school administration to be more
vigilant and take extra preventive measures against the dreaded disease.
The widespread transmission of dengue
The hasty transmission of the resilient virus has led school
administrators, particularly the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong (LSM), to
ascertain that the mosquito
vector‟s highly adaptable quality is partly to blame. “These mosquitoes can
easily adapt to changes in the environment, find new places to breed and even
effortlessly adjust to human settlements. Previous efforts like defogging would
only temporarily drive mosquitoes away, and they would be here again to look
for a new prey,” shares
Ana Eva Bolinao, School Principal of LSM. Bolinao also reveals that the school
has recorded 20 cases of dengue out of its total population of about 1,200 high
school and grade school students.
The widespread resurgence of dengue may also be attributed
to the latest discovery of experts of another mosquito vector stalking the
city. Historically, dengue infection in the country had been attributed to the
mosquito species Aedes aegypti, whose attack is far more common during the day.
Entomologists have recently reported the presence of Aedes albopictus, a once
confined species to forested areas, now in cities where people live. A
secondary vector of the dengue virus, Ae. albopictus is as lethal as the Ae.
aegypti and was found to be an active biter at late afternoon and even at
night.
Preventive measures against dengue
Dr. Raymond Manuel, Pediatrician and School Physician of LSM
shares that cleaning campaigns like defogging has been carried out in school
premises usually after classes to destroy possible mosquito breeding grounds.
However the school physician discloses that apart from mosquito larva killing
and eliminating pools of stagnant water, the most effective dengue preventive measure are awareness campaigns.
“Though we have adequate knowledge related to the disease „dengue,‟ others do not have sufficient
knowledge about the virus. And while we have a number of preventive practices
against the disease like defogging, its effectiveness against dengue will be
very minimal if the victims themselves aren‟t well-informed of the
dengue-carrying mosquitoes,”
stresses Dr. Manuel. School-aged children, especially those below 10 years old,
appeared to be more susceptible to dengue virus.
These kids have fewer antibodies that are considered
necessary to protect themselves against infections and illnesses, dengue
included.
The school has already incorporated dengue information
dissemination campaign in classroom discussions during the students‟ science subject. This not
only creates an opportunity for teachers to lead the class about the dangers of
the disease, it all the more builds the students' knowledge from symptoms to
preventive measures.
The Green
Cross School
Crashers
Very timely is the Green Cross School Crashers campaign
which was recently launched at LSM and at several Metro Manila schools. As
Green Cross sees the vital importance of awareness campaigns, it embarks a Day
and Night Dengue Defense drive to acquaint young students and parents alike on
facts about dengue. Through the Green Cross School Crashers, students get to
understand the disease, its symptoms, and defensive measures in a fun and
interactive way.
During the Green Cross School Crashers activity, grade
school students meet Ms. Green, a Green Cross Insect Repellent Ambassador, and
two costumed character mascots, Daytime Dengue Lamok (Ae. aegypti) and
Nighttime Dengue Lamok (Ae. albopictus). The lessons are taught through
interactive storytelling where kids learn all about dengue prevention and the
dangers of dengue.
Children do not only learn about the harmful day and night
dengue lamok but also get to take home educational brochures they may share
with family members. Aside from useful tips to keep their homes and community
from becoming the breeding sites of dengue lamok, the leaflet has fun
activities inside and even a survey form kids can answer and get a chance to
take home a limited edition school supply kit.
The best line of defense
Though there are a number of initiatives to prevent breeding
sites and protect oneself from dengue, the best line of defense is still
personal protection. The use of insect repellents is highly advisable
especially to protect those exposed skin one can not cover up with long-sleeved
tops or pants. And the only proven protection against day and night dengue
lamok is the new Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion. It protects you from
harmful mosquitoes for up to 10 hours. It also has an antibacterial formulation
proven to kill up to 99.9% of disease-causing germs, a benefit which Green
Cross brand has always been known for. Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion is
especially formulated to give complete protection from dengue mosquito bites,
offering up to 10 hours protection per application.
There are a number of effective, eco-friendly and
sustainable strategies to combat dengue. Both the local government and school
administration are sharing collaborative efforts in stopping the spread of this
dreaded disease. Awareness campaigns are of vital importance and the Green
Cross School Crashers is a welcome effort to control the spread of dengue
virus. Several schools have joined and discovered this innovative way to defend
oneself against dengue. Enlist your school in the Green Cross School Crashers.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/greencrossphilippines or
call the Green Cross School Crashers hotline at 0917 976 5980.
Source: Department of Health Disease Surveillance Report
Morbidity Week 35, Aug. 26 – Sept 1, 2012
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