The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported a 90-percent increase in dengue cases this year compared to the cases recorded during the same period in 2021.
This is cumulatively, the DOH said, as based on latest National Dengue Data for the week, as of June 25, 2022 (Morbidity Week 25), the DOH said that there were 64,797 dengue cases reported from January 1 to June 25, 2022, which is higher as compared to the 34,074 of the same period last year.
Cumulatively, most dengue cases were reported from:
Region 3 (9,426 15 percent); Region 7 (7,741, 12 percent); Region 9 (5,684, 9 percent).
In the recent period of May 29 to June 25, 2022 where 21,115 cases were recorded, the regions with the highest number of cases are:
Region 3: 3,902 (18 percent); Region 7: 2,316 (11 percent); NCR: 1,997 (9 percent).
Nationally, there were 274 deaths reported (Case Fatality Rate=0.4 percent).
These deaths were reported in: January: 36; February: 32; March: 39; April: 46; May: 63; June: 58.
The DOH noted that the “date died was used to plot these deaths, instead of date of onset.”
Earlier, the DOH warned the public of water-borne infectious diseases, influenza, and leptospirosis, including dengue (WILD), which usually peaks at the start of the rainy season.
“This rainy season, let’s prevent outbreaks by avoiding WILD diseases,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
Vergeire also reminded the public to “avoid wading in flood waters, make sure to practice 4s dengue strategy, wash hands properly, ensure clean drinking water, always prepare a go-bag, and if possible get vaccinated against the flu virus.”
The 4-S stands for “Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, employ self-protection measures” (i.e., wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellent), “Seek early consultation,” and “Support fogging/spraying” only in hot spot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.”
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