THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported a rise in cases of stroke, heart attack, and asthma before the end of 2025, with five deaths recorded, consisting of three from stroke and two due to acute coronary syndrome.
This developed at the number of fireworks-related injuries rose to 140 as of Dec. 30, according to the DOH.
The agency said it logged a total of 288 cases of acute stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and bronchial asthma from Dec. 21 to 31, 2025.
The figure reflects a five-percent increase compared to the 274 cases recorded during the same period last year, according to the DOH.
Acute stroke, also referred to as brain attack, was identified as the leading cause of death among the reported cases.
Among acute coronary syndrome cases, the highest number was recorded in the 60 to 69 age group, accounting for 28 of the 77 reported cases.
Acute stroke cases were also most prevalent among patients aged 60 to 69, with 53 of the 180 cases falling under this age group.
For bronchial asthma, the highest number of cases was recorded among children aged 0 to 9, with eight of the 31 reported cases.
The data is collected from 10 pilot sites monitored by the DOH for acute complications related to noncommunicable diseases.
In the firecrackers department, the data, recorded Dec. 21 to Dec. 30, was 23 percent lower than last year’s 182 cases in the same time period.
The primary causes of injuries in the countdown to the New Year celebrations included Five Star, Boga, Pla-Pla, and Whistle Bomb.
Boys aged five to 19 comprised the majority of the casualties.
The agency said it will continue to monitor until Jan. 5, anticipating the largest number of cases this evening and tomorrow morning covering the transition to the New Year.
