MANILA, Philippines — Dengue cases in the country have almost quadrupled, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.
DOH data showed that cases rose by 153 percent or 118,526 from January to Aug. 6 compared to 46,761 during the same period last year.
Dengue-related fatalities increased to 399 compared to 167 last year.
Central Luzon posted the highest number of dengue cases with 21,242 followed by Central Visayas with 11,363 and the National Capital Region, 10,937.
Central Visayas recorded the highest number of fatalities with 68 followed by Western Visayas with 51 and Central Luzon, 41.
The DOH had earlier said nine out of 17 regions have exceeded the dengue epidemic threshold. These are Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, Cordillera Administrative Region and Metro Manila.
DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said increased mobility contributed to the jump in cases.
“In the past two years of the COVID pandemic, there was less mobility of the population and less interaction among people. Schools as well as other establishments were closed,” Vergeire said.
The DOH reiterated its call for the public to practice the ”4S” strategy to stop the surge in dengue cases.
This stands for search and destroy breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation and support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas.