HEALTH officials in Region Six are urging residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from dengue fever, following a concerning spike in cases and the reported deaths of two children.

As part of their response, health authorities are intensifying mosquito control measures and emphasising the importance of personal prevention, particularly as the rainy season creates ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary transmitter of dengue.

Residents are strongly advised to use insect repellents, sleep under mosquito nets, wear long-sleeved clothing, and seek medical attention at the earliest sign of symptoms, which include fever, rash, joint pain, and fatigue.

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Vineshri Khirodhar, confirmed the gravity of the situation, explaining that the region is now contending with more severe strains of the virus, stressing the need to visit a medical professional if symptoms are noticed.

Dr. Khirodhar also noted that while fogging operations are in place, the regional health team is shifting some focus to more sustainable mosquito control strategies, such as the use of larvicides which he said is done in a “very safe manner and more effective.”

The matter was also addressed during the Region Six Regional Democratic Council’s statutory meeting on Thursday.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, highlighted the urgency of the outbreak and underscored the need for continued fogging by local authorities.

“So, we got to be very careful in the region, and we got to do more work in getting these NDCs to continue spraying so we can at least contain these mosquitoes to some extent,” he emphasised.

Armogan also expressed concern about the impact on children, noting that two young lives have already been lost. “It seems to be affecting children more,” he said, recounting a conversation with a grieving mother. “The mother told me all four of her children had tested positive,” he added.

As of April, the region recorded 332 confirmed cases, and with the S1 NS1 strain known for its rapid deterioration of children’s immune systems now circulating, the health department is also ramping up public awareness campaigns and collaborating with community leaders to spread information on preventive practices.

They are also urging citizens to stay vigilant, eliminate standing water around homes, and cooperate with fogging and larvicide operations to help curb the spread of the virus.