DepEd to school clinics: Be on alert vs dengue

As dengue cases threaten to rise during the rainy season, the Department of Education has instructed clinics in schools to be on alert for symptoms of the disease. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the alert should apply not only to students but also to teachers, according to a report by radio dzBB's Glen Juego. Luistro also encouraged students to see their school clinic doctor as soon as they feel the symptoms of the disease. Such symptoms include high fever and severe headaches, the report said. Also, Luistro instructed school officials to coordinate with village authorities to ensure the school premises are clean and dry. Keeping surroundings clean and dry helps prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding. Warning vs complacency Earlier reports indicated that children are among those most at risk of getting dengue. In Quezon City, at least 66 children occupy the ward at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, with "two to three" children having to share one bed at the ward. Last week, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public not to become complacent against dengue. DOH Secretary Enrique Ona said that while dengue cases are down from January to July 23 this year compared to the same period last year, there is no reason to relax. The DOH’s figures showed that from January to July 23, there were 38,876 dengue cases, 25.85 percent lower compared to the 52,428 cases in the same period last year. "As the rainy season continues, we need to continue organizing clean-up campaigns in barangays to destroy every possible dengue breeding site," Ona said. Dengue Dengue is a disease caused by the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes bite during daytime. The disease is characterized by headache, fever, muscle and joint pains and skin rashes. In extreme cases, bleeding of the gums and nose may occur — RSJ, GMA News