The Department of Health has raised an alert due to the surge in dengue cases in the country, calling for vigilance among the populace. According to the latest data from the department, there are already 208,965 recorded dengue cases surge of 68 percent compared to 124,157 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Cases have risen 25% over the past three to four weeks, with the most significant increases, at around 40%, from Regions III, VI and VII. For its part, the DOH now calls on the public to remain vigilant, especially as more children are admitted to the hospital due to dengue as the country enters its 35th morbidity week.
In line with the alarming increase, the DOH has continued to collaborate with the nine LGUs to further strengthen dengue prevention and control measures. It implements its “4S” strategy – Search and Destroy of mosquito breeding sites, Seek Early Consultation, and Support Fogging operations to high-risk areas. According to DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, “fogging prevents the virus from spreading to other barangays.”
In turn, the DOH ordered hospitals in high-risk areas to be ready for the continued surge of cases. It has also ensured adequate supplies of intravenous fluids, blood products, and all other medical supplies needed for treating the patients with dengue infection.
Secretary Herbosa reminded the public to have a clean environment to decrease the population of mosquitoes. “The enemy here is the increase in mosquitoes. If the surroundings are clean and there’s no stagnant water, we can reduce dengue cases. Mosquitoes prefer clean water, not floodwater,” he said.
Meanwhile, DOH also reported 18 confirmed cases of Mpox in the country. Of these, it said 11 come from the NCR, six come from Calabarzon, and one from Cagayan Valley. These cases range from 12-47 years old with 17 males and one female.
Of the cases, five have already recovered and 13 are in isolation and recovering at home. Health officials are also closely monitoring the close contacts of the patients.
The DOH is still open with its line to the public as active surveillance of dengue and Mpox cases is being carried out to avoid a wide outbreak of the diseases.
