DOH: First peak dengue season here, take precautions

The first of two peak seasons for dengue has set in, according to the Department of Health (DOH), which has urged the public to take precautions against the killer disease. Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the risk of getting dengue is high usually in January and in July. Peak season in January and July "Two times in the year may peak tayo. Ito ang January and then July and August, nagpe-peak uli (We have two peak seasons for dengue during the year. The first is during January, and the second peak is during the period between July and August)," Cabral said in an interview on dwIZ radio. She advised the public to keep their surroundings clean and dry to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding. Neverthelss, the DOH considers dengue a year-round threat that can strike any time. Get rid of stagnant water Cabral stressed the need for residents to get rid of stagnant water, which she said is a favorite breeding ground for mosquitoes. "Kailangan mag-ingat, malinis ang kapaligiran. Ang stagnant water kailangan itapon para hindi mag-breed ang mosquitoes doon (People should keep their surroundings clean, and throw out stagnant water lest mosquitoes breed there)," she said. She also reminded the public dengue can strike anyone at any time. "Walang pinipili ang mga lamok na yan (Dengue-carrying mosquitoes strike at any time and any place)," she said. - TJD, GMANews.TV