The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday it is now closely monitoring the increase in dengue cases in Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
According to the DOH, 6,622 dengue cases were reported from April 10 to May 7, 2022, most of which came from Region 9 with 908 cases (14 percent), Region 7 with 881 cases (13 percent), and Region 3 with 593 cases (9 percent).
The DOH has seen recent increases in dengue cases starting the end of March. It noted that the 11,435 dengue cases recorded from March 20 to April 30 was 94 percent higher than the cases reported during the same period in 2021, which was 5,901.
Reports showed that 19 people have already died due to dengue in Zamboanga City alone, which has already declared a dengue outbreak. The cases in the city reached over 2,000 from January to May 14, 2022.
Eleven persons have died in Cebu City also due to dengue, with more than 700 dengue cases recorded from January up to May 7 this year. The figure is the highest in Central Visayas, according to the DOH in Central Visayas.
Despite this, the agency said that there was a 6 percent decrease recorded from the 27,010 dengue cases in 2021 to the 25,268 this year throughout the same period, based on data gathered by its Epidemiology Bureau.
Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje earlier assured the public that dengue cases in the country remain manageable, but said they have already advised health facilities to prepare for an increase in admissions, especially for children.
The DOH further reminded the public to practice the 4S behaviors for the fight against dengue: Search and destroy breeding places; Secure self-protection; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas, especially now during the rainy season.