10 August 2005
OPINION: ‘Pogi’ points and dengue
THE PEN SPEAKS
By Danny O. Sagun
“JUST to get some pogi points.”
We heard that Dr. Jose Soriano, head of the provincial health team in Pangasinan, made this sarcastic note on local officials’ penchant for publicity in their choice for fogging operations over the more effective cleanliness and sanitation in the health campaign against the dreaded dengue fever disease.
Fogging entails much expenses while environmental sanitation practically costs nothing, but our officials prefer the more costly one for obvious reason. “Pampapogi lang nila yan,” he curtly told a radio interview.
Soriano said that fogging alone cannot kill all mosquitoes. “Yong hindi matamaan lumilipat lang sa ibang lugar,” he pointed out. The most effective means to get rid of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, called aedes Aegypti, is to deprive them of breeding grounds – stagnant water in flower vases, cans, pails, drums, bottles, unused tires, gutter, etc. Fogging may kill the adult mosquitoes but the eggs left untouched eventually hatch and the cycle is there, he said
Citing the case in Binalonan where a high incidence of dengue cases was recorded prompting the municipal council to declare a state of calamity, Soriano said that a health team dispatched in an affected area found in a house an aquarium, apparently not already functioning, that became a breeding ground of mosquitoes. “Ang ganda ng bahay, pero pagpasok namin, merong aquarium na pinamumugaran ng lamok” he noted. Two young members of the household became ill of dengue fever with one having internal bleeding.
Sanitation is as simple as picking tin cans or coconut husks left in the yard and disposing them properly. “Ganyan lang kasimple pero ang gusto ng iba gumastos pa,” he noted with sarcasm.
We can only agree. If only all households take a few minutes to look for all possible reeding places of mosquitoes and dispose of them, this dreaded disease may not rise at all. Take note that this mosquito species thrive on clean stagnant water. Depriving them of such favorable condition would not allow mosquitoes to lay eggs, thus ending their life cycle; the adult ones would soon die without any replacements.
By Danny O. Sagun
“JUST to get some pogi points.”
We heard that Dr. Jose Soriano, head of the provincial health team in Pangasinan, made this sarcastic note on local officials’ penchant for publicity in their choice for fogging operations over the more effective cleanliness and sanitation in the health campaign against the dreaded dengue fever disease.
Fogging entails much expenses while environmental sanitation practically costs nothing, but our officials prefer the more costly one for obvious reason. “Pampapogi lang nila yan,” he curtly told a radio interview.
Soriano said that fogging alone cannot kill all mosquitoes. “Yong hindi matamaan lumilipat lang sa ibang lugar,” he pointed out. The most effective means to get rid of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, called aedes Aegypti, is to deprive them of breeding grounds – stagnant water in flower vases, cans, pails, drums, bottles, unused tires, gutter, etc. Fogging may kill the adult mosquitoes but the eggs left untouched eventually hatch and the cycle is there, he said
Citing the case in Binalonan where a high incidence of dengue cases was recorded prompting the municipal council to declare a state of calamity, Soriano said that a health team dispatched in an affected area found in a house an aquarium, apparently not already functioning, that became a breeding ground of mosquitoes. “Ang ganda ng bahay, pero pagpasok namin, merong aquarium na pinamumugaran ng lamok” he noted. Two young members of the household became ill of dengue fever with one having internal bleeding.
Sanitation is as simple as picking tin cans or coconut husks left in the yard and disposing them properly. “Ganyan lang kasimple pero ang gusto ng iba gumastos pa,” he noted with sarcasm.
We can only agree. If only all households take a few minutes to look for all possible reeding places of mosquitoes and dispose of them, this dreaded disease may not rise at all. Take note that this mosquito species thrive on clean stagnant water. Depriving them of such favorable condition would not allow mosquitoes to lay eggs, thus ending their life cycle; the adult ones would soon die without any replacements.
* * * *
We vividly recall how our Junior, then a Grade II pupil, fell so weak he had to be rushed by the wifey to the nearest clinic. That was the very year dengue cases in Pangasinan rose to an epidemic level in the 90s, affecting almost all municipalities and leaving several fatalities. We had no idea at that time he was already suffering from that illness until the doctor told us his platelets level had gone dangerously low. We thought he was only affected by flu with his fever going on and off.
Doctors said a fever now that is gone tomorrow only to recur the next day or days is one symptom. Rashes may be visible in the arms. Bleeding from the nose occurs if the situation gets worse. It is a must to rush the patient immediately to a hospital. Do not procrastinate please, it may already be too late to save the life of our loved one.
To strengthen the immune system, include in the daily menu fruits and vegetables. Rest and enough sleep are important too.
First of all, let us maintain our surroundings clean and sanitary. It’s not only economical but also very effective.
Doctors said a fever now that is gone tomorrow only to recur the next day or days is one symptom. Rashes may be visible in the arms. Bleeding from the nose occurs if the situation gets worse. It is a must to rush the patient immediately to a hospital. Do not procrastinate please, it may already be too late to save the life of our loved one.
To strengthen the immune system, include in the daily menu fruits and vegetables. Rest and enough sleep are important too.
First of all, let us maintain our surroundings clean and sanitary. It’s not only economical but also very effective.
