MANILA – The Philippines has logged 118,526 dengue cases from January 1 to August 6 this year, 153 percent higher than the figure in the same period in 2021, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.
In a media forum, DOH officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire noted that cases for the same period last year totaled 46,761.
“But in the recent four weeks, 29,586 dengue cases were reported, of which, 64 percent were hospitalized. And this is lower than those hospitalized in the past four weeks,” Vergeire said.
A total of 399 deaths due to dengue were reported nationwide -- 35 in January; 31 in February; 37 in March; 47 in April; 62 in May; 74 in June; 100 in July; and 13 in August.
Vergeire noted that the number of hospitalizations was lower than the more than 70 percent logged previously as people are already seeking early consultation because of the efforts of the local governments.
“Isa po ito sa mga pinagbibilin natin sa ating mga kababayan na kapag tayo ay nagpakonsulta nang maaga maiiwasan natin ang pagkakaospital at pagkaka-kumplikasyon ng dengue (This is one of our reminders to our fellowmen that we could avoid hospitalization and complication due to dengue through early consultation),” she said.
Most of the dengue cases were reported in Central Luzon with 21,242 or 18 percent; Central Visayas, 11,363 or 10 percent; and the National Capital Region (NCR), 10,937 or 9 percent.
From July 10 to August 6, about 29,586 cases were recorded. Of the tally, 6,035 or 20 percent were from Central Luzon; 4,045 or 14 percent from NCR; and 2,964 or 10 percent from Western Visayas.
About 10 out of 17 regions have exceeded the epidemic threshold in the past four weeks -- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Region 4-A (Calabarzon), Region 4-B (Mimaropa), Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Cordillera region, and NCR from July 10 to August 6. (PNA)
