SAN JOSE, Antique, Philippines – The Antique Provincial Health Office (PHO) is stepping up its campaign against the mosquito-borne dengue amid reports of increasing number of cases early this year.

PHO head Ric Noel Naciongayo called on local government units, communities and families to step up the campaign to ward off dengue mosquitoes all throughout the year, noting that the weather condition of intermittent rain showers and sunny days is conducive for dengue mosquitoes to thrive.

Teresita Vergara, Supervising Sanitary Inspector, said the Antique PHO has already recorded 30 dengue cases in the entire province with one fatality since January this year.

Vergara, meanwhile, stated that of the 18 towns in the province only six have no reported dengue cases. These are the towns of Anini-y, Laua-an, Sebaste, Pandan, Libertad and Island of Caluya.

Vergara emphasized that summer months can also cause dengue mosquitoes to multiply when the water supply is getting scarce and people tend to store it in containers that are not covered.

“We enjoined everyone to properly cover water containers to ensure they are not contaminated and will not serve as breeding places of mosquitoes,” she added.

PHO reiterated its campaign on the 4S strategy to ward off mosquitoes. Theses include search and destroy operations of the breeding places of mosquitoes like stagnant clear waters in tin cans, old tires, plastic containers water vases, and other water catcher.