Dengue cases continue to rise – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Dengue cases in the country continue to rise as close to a million infections were reported from Jan. 1 to July 16 this year, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the 852,597 cases were 106 percent higher than those reported during the same period last year.

“Cumulatively, dengue cases were reported in Central Luzon with 13,449; Central Visayas, 8,905, and National Capital Region, 694.

From June 19 to July 16, the DOH recorded 20,261 cases in three regions that posted the highest number of infections.

These are Central Luzon with 4,529 cases; Cagayan Valley, 2,151, and NCR with 1,985.

The DOH noted that during the same period, 10 of 17 regions exceeded the epidemic threshold with Cagayan Valley, the Cordilleras and Mimaropa showing a sustained increasing trend.

“A total 319 deaths nationwide were recorded with a case fatality rate of 0.4 percent,” the DOH said.

To help stop the surge, the health department urged the public to practice the “4S” strategy in preventing dengue.

The “4S” stands for search and destroy mosquito-breeding places; secure self-protection, seek early consultation and support fogging/spraying in hotspot areas.