DOH sees 200,000 dengue cases this year

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is projecting over 200,000 dengue cases this year, based on the number of infections being reported every month.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the country might see around 240,000 dengue cases before the year ends “if nothing will be done” to curb the increase.

“If you look at the number and you do some computations, you get around 240,000. Dengue is a personal and community concern, and we can still prevent this from happening if we all do our part,” Duque said.

Based on latest dengue surveillance report from the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau, there were 1,121 dengue cases recorded from May 1 to 11.

The figure brought to 74,273 the total number of cases since Jan. 1. Of this, 98 cases or 27 percent belonged to the 5 to 9 age bracket.

Duque said that while there is no medicine yet to cure dengue, the disease is preventable by observing the “4S” strategies in battling it.  

“I’d like to emphasize the importance for the community and our people to exercise the ‘4S.’ First, we have to seek and destroy all possible breeding sites of mosquitoes. We may not know it but mostly, there are breeding sites right inside our homes,” he said.

Duque estimated that in 2017, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. paid P3.2 billion in reimbursement claims for dengue patients.

This could have been prevented if the strategies were put into practice. 

He said it is vital for the survival of dengue patients to see a doctor immediately.  

Those experiencing a 38-degree Celsius fever for two days and beyond should see a doctor immediately. 

The third strategy is to wear light and bright-colored long-sleeve clothing and pants to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which attack during daytime.

“And lastly, say ‘yes’ to selective water-based fogging if there is a confirmed outbreak for two weeks in a community. They can request it from the local government units,” he added. 

Duque said dengue does not only affect a person’s health, but the economic aspect of the family as well.

“Having dengue can mean missing school or work. The impact on productivity is huge,” he said.