ANTI-DENGUE MEASURE. A staff of the Bacolod City Health Office conducts fogging in one of the villages with reported dengue cases in this undated photo. The Department of Health reported 45,416 dengue cases from January 1 to June 11, 45 percent higher than the 31,320 cases reported during the same period last year. (File photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO)
MANILA – The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Monday warned the public against increasing dengue cases nationwide.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 45,416 dengue cases from January 1 to June 11, 45 percent higher than the 31,320 cases reported during the same period last year.
“Dapat na tayo ma-alarma, katulad sa Singapore inuulat ng aming mga kasamahan sa association, uma-attend ako lagi nitong confederation of medical associations, alam niyo ba sa Singapore mas maraming namatay sa (We should be alarmed, our association members report, I attend confederation of medical associations, in Singapore many died from) dengue rather than Covid-19,” PMA Director Benito Atienza said in a televised public briefing.
The top three regions that recorded the most number of cases include Central Visayas (13 percent), Central Luzon (12 percent), and the Zamboanga Peninsula (10 percent).
The country logged 11,680 cases from May 15 to June 11, 15 percent of which was recorded in Central Luzon, 13 percent in Central Visayas, and 8 percent in Western Visayas.
When asked why cases are increasing in the Visayas, Atienza said Luzon could be more aware of dengue symptoms as well as its prevention strategies.
“Pero nababalita po dito sa may Ilocos Region dumarami na rin po at even po dito sa NCR [National Capital Region] at Calabarzon, dumadami na rin kaya ang sinasabi natin, nag-announce na po ang Philippine Pediatric Society the other week na talagang dapat paghandaan natin ang (However, cases here in the Ilocos region are also increasing, even in the NCR, Calabarzon, so the Philippine Pediatric Society announced last week the other week to really prepare against) dengue cases,” Atienza said.
The DOH said other regions showing an increase in cases include the Bangsamoro Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 4-B (Mimaropa).
It added that the country has logged 217 fatalities -- 39 in January; 37 in February; 34 in March; 45 in April; 58 in May; and four in June.
Atienza reminded the public that dengue cases are not among the children only, even senior citizens could get it.
“We need to be careful now, as general practitioner of pediatrics, kahapon lang dalawang admission ko, ang isa (yesterday I have two admissions, one is a) dengue case, the other day, the same,” he said. “Dapat magpakonsulta na kung ang lagnat ng bata ay dalawa o apat na araw na (Consult with a doctor if your child has a fever for two to three days already). (PNA)
