The rainy season which started a few days ago should make the public wary of dengue.

As of April 2010, 4,000 dengue cases, 50 percent higher compared to last year, have already been reported, according to Dr. Eric Tayag of the National Epidemiology Center.

In Cavite, the number of dengue cases increased in June.

DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER is an acute infectious disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti, a day-biting mosquito which breeds in stagnant water.

Surroundings should be kept free from stagnant water, Tayag said.

According to DOH health advisory, signs and symptoms of dengue include: sudden onset of high fever which may last 2-7 days, joint and muscle pain, pain behind the eyes, weakness, skin rashes (tiny red spots), nose bleeding, abdominal pain, vomiting of coffee-colored matter and dark colored stools.

If detected early, dengue can be cured easily. Still, prevention and control is better than cure. DOH has the following tips:

• Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

• Replace water in flower vases once a week.

• Clean all water containers once a week.

• Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.

• Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.

• Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.

• Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.

For more information, visit http://www.doh.gov.ph/

Information retrieved from:

Department of Health. http://portal.doh.gov.ph/healthadvisories/dengue. June 17, 2010

GMA News. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/191279/doh-warns-vs-dengue-flu-as-rainy-season-nears. May 19, 2010