We usually have a high incidence of dengue during this rainy season and that bothers me as an elementary teacher and concerned citizen.
I would like to share some information regarding this disease. By the way “Dengue” is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes aegypti mosquito. A day biting mosquito which lay eggs in clear stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels, and old rubber tires. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.
Since most affected are children it is important that we know signs and symptoms of these disease, like onset of fever which may last 2 to 7 days, joint and muscle pain behind the eyes, weakness, skin rushes-maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae, nose bleeding when fever starts to subside abdominal pain, vomiting of coffee colored matter & dark colored stools. If these signs and symptoms prevail, better see a doctor.
How can we prevent and control Dengue? They are as follows: Cover water drums & water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Replace water in flower vases once a week. Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to sides. Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes. Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water. Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other stems that can collect and hold water.
In school let us practice cleanliness inside and around our surroundings so that this disease will be eradicated.
So children, parents and teachers, act now! Clean up and disseminate this information. As I’ve said prevention is better than cure. Let’s drive mosquitoes away. No mosquitoes, no dengue!
Annette D. Quezon
Orion Elementary School
By: Annette Qeuzon
