The Rise of Dengue Cases in the Philippines and Ways to Prevent It
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that has been rising in the Philippines. It is caused by a virus and can be fatal if not treated early.Â
The Philippines experiences the highest number of dengue cases in the world because it is home to over 1,000,000 Aedes mosquitos that are known vectors of this virus. These mosquitoes thrive most in urban areas due to human activities such as using discarded tires or old tires on paved surfaces.
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This species mainly feeds approximately two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset, which means the time when humans are most active in a day will be when they are most active.
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Fever and rashes are the most common symptoms of dengue. Other symptoms include, severe headache and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and seizures—most people who come into contact with dengue recover in a week or two without complications.Â
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Dengue is one of the fastest rising cases in the Philippines. It has been declared a public health emergency that needs a better and quicker response.
How do we prevent dengue in our homes?
There are ways to prevent dengue in our homes. Some ways to prevent dengue in your home are listed below:
- Keep screens on all the time to keep mosquitoes away
- Clean up your yard regularly and make sure it’s free of stagnant water
- Use air conditioning or fan anytime you feel like being indoors is too uncomfortable
- Move away from stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
- Empty standing water from pots or planters.
Using Insect Repellent Lotions
One way to avoid getting dengue is to apply mosquito repellent on the skin because mosquitos cannot bite if they cannot locate their target, which would be the human skin. Repellents should be used when you know you’ll be exposed to insects during the rainy season or if you have an area with many mosquitoes present.
What to Wear To Avoid Mosquito Bites
Long Sleeves and Pants
Wear long sleeves and pants inside and outside the house, especially if you know dengue is a risk of being affected. Avoid touching the body parts of people around you. Stay away from areas where mosquitoes are likely to be since they can easily transmit the virus to humans.
Knee-High Socks
The most common way to avoid mosquito bites is to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. But some people opt for knee-high socks, making mosquito bites less accessible. The best thing to do is wear socks to avoid the risk of being bitten by a mosquito carrying dengue fever or another dangerous infection.
