Dengue cases surge 102% nationwide

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 188,562 dengue cases have been recorded nationwide, with 807 deaths, as of Aug. 3 this year, according to the Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH).

The figure is 102 percent higher or more than double the 93,149 cases and 497 deaths registered in the same period last year.

Western Visayas remains to have the highest number of dengue cases at 32,515 with 150 deaths.

To reduce the number of those infected with the mosquito-borne disease across the country, the DOH has urged officials to localize their strategies against dengue.

Age 5-9 most affected

Other regions with high incidence of dengue are Calabarzon (23,365 cases, 79 deaths), northern Mindanao (15,569 cases, 57 deaths), Zamboanga Peninsula (14,650 cases, 81 deaths) and Soccsksargen (13,670 cases, 59 deaths)

Children age 5 to 9 continue to be the most affected group comprising nearly 23 percent of all dengue cases and 41 percent of all reported deaths.

Because of the rising number of dengue cases, the DOH said that affected regions must identify the municipalities and barangays where there are a clustering of cases and those that have a high fatality rate “for prioritization of response.”

The DOH recommends fogging in areas where an increase in cases have been recorded for two consecutive weeks.