PH now has over 118K dengue cases—DOH

THE Aedes Aegypti mosquito that transmits dengue.

by Analou de Vera, Manila Bulletin

The Philippines continue to see a rise in dengue cases as it already recorded more than 118,000 cases since the start of this year.

A total of 118,526 dengue cases across the country were already logged from Jan. 1 to Aug. 6, as shown in the latest data of the Department of Health (DOH).

This figure is 153 percent higher compared to the 46,761 dengue cases reported during the same period last year.

Most of the dengue cases were recorded in Central Luzon with 21,242, Central Visayas with 11,363, and Metro Manila with 10,937.

Deaths related to dengue also stood at 399. This is higher compared to the 167 fatalities recorded during the same period last year.

Most of the deaths were logged in Central Visayas with 68, Western Visayas with 51, and Central Luzon with 41.

The DOH continuously reminded the public to practice the 4s strategy against dengue.

These 4S strategy consists of: search and destroy mosquito breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging/ spraying only in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent impending outbreak, the DOH said.

10 regions seeing spike in dengue cases

 File photo

TEN out of the 17 regions in the country have shown an increase in dengue cases, based on the data of the Department of Health (DOH).

In a statement Friday, June 10, 2022, majority of regions have recorded more dengue cases compared to the numbers in 2021.

"Ten out of the 17 regions showed increasing cases of dengue," said the DOH.

The regions are Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Overall, the DOH said there were 34,938 dengue cases reported from January 1 to May 21, 2022.

Be Again On Guard Against Dengue

The Philippines' weather bureau predicts the onset of the rainy season now. The usually rainy season is six months in the Philippines - from June to November each year. With rains comes flooding, along with threat of illnesses such as dengue fever.

We are all advised here to be vigilant against dengue, a perennial health problem, prevalent in tropical countries such the Philippines. Anyone can fall ill with dengue fever any time during the year but the number of patients increases during the raining season. The dengue-carrying mosquito  called AEDES AEGYPTI, which is black with white spots, lays eggs in clear waters found in flower vases, cans, bamboo husks, empty soft drink bottles, rain barrels, and old rubber tires. Left undetected and treated, dengue could lead to a number of complications.

An expert warned against a "secondary mosquito species - the AEDES ALBOPICTUS - as a possible dengue risk. The forest area at Mount Makiling in Laguna is said to be the natural habitat of this specie. The Department of Health is conducting further studies to validate the threat from this "secondary mosquito species".

The first quarter of 2012 registered a 28.96 percent drop in dengue cases, mostly in Metro Manila - from 23.241 cases in the same period last year, to 16.511 cases this year.

BUT, be on guard as there is no treatment, cure, or vaccine for dengue. A way to prevent it is to maintain clean surroundings to eliminate breeding sites. Prevention involves regular clean up, fogging, spraying of insecticides and larviciding. Clothing, mosquito repellent, and netting can held reduce exposure.