THE Department of Health (DOH) has reported rise in dengue and leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila, saying the incidences were worse than previous years.
The DOH data showed 24, 232 dengue cases logged in Metro Manila from Jan. 1 to Oct. 26 this year. The figure is 34.47 percent higher than last year, and 53 percent more than the numbers over the past five years.
The DOH noted that dengue cases in the National Capital Region have reached its alert threshold, indicating urgent response of the department and the local government units.
Most of the cases were recorded in Quezon City, while Pateros had the highest “attack rate” described as a measure of proportion of people who become ill after being exposed to a disease.
Meanwhile, leptospirosis accounted for a total of 2,734 cases in Metro Manila during the same period. This figure is 90.92 percent higher in comparison to the same period last year, and 159.64 percent higher compared to the last five years.
Quezon City again had the highest leptospirosis cases, while municipality of Pateros had the highest attack rate.
The DOH emphasized that both diseases called for intensified public health interventions to rein in the incidence, minimize fatalities, and ward off outbreaks.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “DOH reports big increase in dengue, leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila.”
