Central Luzon dengue cases up by 131%

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has reported a 131 percent increase in the number of dengue cases in Central Luzon this year.

Fourteen dengue-related deaths have been reported in the region since January, much higher than the number recorded in the same period last year with only two deaths.

DOH’s regional epidiomology and surveillance unit here noted a total of 12,490 dengue cases in the region, compared to only 5,396 cases last year.

The report said Bulacan has the most number of cases with 3,571; followed by Tarlac with 3,174; Pampanga, 2,520; Nueva Ecija, 1,452; Zambales, 733; Bataan, 681; and Aurora, 359.

While Aurora posted the least number of dengue cases, it topped the rest of Central Luzon in terms of percentage of increase of victims.

The province had only 83 cases in the same period last year. This year, it has 359 cases, representing a 332 percent increase.

RESU nurse Maricel Mendoza said the number of cases appeared to be decreasing, citing figures showing 1,220 cases as of the middle part of August, which dropped to 585 as of Sept. 5.