By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
The country has recorded 299 dengue deaths from Jan. 1 to July 15 this year out of the total 80,318 cases.
The Department of Health (DOH) said that 39 or 13 percent of these deaths had dengue without warning signs.
“Continuous increase in dengue cases was observed since morbidity week 14, cases reported in the recent three to four weeks show a 16 percent increase, with 9,486 cases, compared to the previous two weeks,” the DOH said.
“Among morbidity weeks 1 to 28 cases, 1.23 percent or 990 had severe dengue.”
All regions except Cagayan Valley, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Caraga showed an increase in cases over the recent three to four weeks.
The DOH noted that cases may still increase due to late reports.
The DOH describes dengue as the fastest-spreading vector-borne disease in the world that is endemic in 100 countries.
The disease has no cure but can be managed if detected early.
The public is encouraged to beat dengue through the 4S strategy: search and destroy, seek early consultation; self-protection measures; and say yes to fogging during outbreaks.
Malaria cases
Two new cases of malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, were added to the 31 reported last June 6, part of the clustering of malaria cases in Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan that started last April 26.
As of July 15, about 30 cases had recovered while three cases are still active. The DOH said cases were managed at the Irawan Barangay Health Station.
Cases range from one month to 59 years old with a median of 19 years old. About 17 or 52 percent of the cases are females.
Affected cases were from five different puroks in the barangay which include Zone 14 (26 cases), Zone 12 (four cases), Zone 13 (one case), Purok Magsasaka (one case), Purok Masagana (one case).
Palawan is the only province that was not declared malaria-free in 2022. The DOH is aiming to reduce malaria cases in Palawan to zero by 2026. – gb
