Dengue season is in full swing again, and despite the disease’s seasonal nature, it is unfortunate that we have yet to find any concrete solutions to eradicate it once and for all. While numerous measures have been taken by the administration to curb infections, the annual plight seems to only have gotten worse in the last few years if anything.
As of Friday morning, 64 more dengue cases were recorded in the preceding 24 hours, raising the total number of patients currently being treated for dengue to 336. The disease has claimed eight lives so far this year.
This is unacceptable.
Given that dengue is not an unfamiliar disease, and we have been subjected to its devastating consequences year after year, more should have been done to control the spread, if not prevent it completely.
The authorities need to step up, and take more extreme measures if need be, because our current approach is, clearly, not working.
While multiple areas have been identified as breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, our efforts cannot be limited to discovery alone. Drastic steps need to be taken to eliminate the risk in these areas to avoid the number of mosquitoes from multiplying, and from the disease causing citizens any more harm than it already has.
In addition, the administration should begin taking preventive measures for the next monsoon season. Becoming complacent with the treatment of dengue when the risk is lower is, perhaps, what leads to us scrambling, and failing, to keep the infection rate in control every year.
We need to plan ahead. This most definitely does not have to be a recurring scenario. We need to be rid of this disease permanently.
