THE provincial government of Bulacan, through the Provincial Health Office Public Health (PHO-PH), has intensified its fight against dengue by conducting several activities and campaigns to curb the rising number of cases in the province.

Data gathered by the PHO-PH as of July 30 show there have been 9,901 dengue cases recorded in the province this year.

Gov. Daniel Fernando on Tuesday ordered the strict surveillance of areas considered as dengue hotspots and the clustering of cases that are tagged as a priority for intervention.

The governor said that the provincial government continues to purchase antidengue chemicals that are being distributed to cities and municipalities as well as dengue NS1 kits that are given out to public hospitals and rural health units.

The provincial government has also launched a simultaneous cleaning activity with the participation of the barangay captains, homeowners association and other sectors.

The PHO-PH has been ordered to regularly conduct awareness programs and distribute information materials to the community.

The PHO-PH reminds all Bulakenyo to be extra careful since apart from the threat of dengue and Covid-19 virus, there is also the monkeypox virus which has already entered the country.

Dengue cases in the country have doubled this year compared to last year, the Department of Health said.

From January 1 to July 16, there were 82,597 cases of dengue, higher by 106 percent than the cases reported during the same period last year.

Most came from Central Luzon, with 13,449 cases or 16 percent of the total; followed by Central Visayas with 8,905 or 11 percent; and the National Capital Region with 6,884 or 8 percent of the total.