Cases of dengue deaths in Central Visayas has gone up by 0.4 percent compared to the same period last year, prompting the Department of Health to promote the "Four 'S' campaign" to combat the disease.

Health regional director for Region 7 Dr. Susana Mandarietta said "Four S" stands for Search and destroy mosquitoes breeding places, Self protection, Seek early treatment, and Say no to indiscriminate fogging. DOH records show that the 2.5 percent of dengue fatalities in 2007 is higher compared to 2.1 percent of the same period last year.

Although dengue cases have gone down by 10 percent this year. Central Visayas has 1,045 cases this year compared to 1,288 cases in 2006.

Mandarietta also said Dumaguete is one of the places under the watch of the DOH-7 because of its high possibility of dengue at epidemic level. The city has been consistent in being in the top 10 places in the region having the highest number of dengue cases recorded.

Mandarietta encouraged barangay officials to create a brigade to ensure a thorough implementation of the four S campaign.*MA

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