MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday it has observed an increase in dengue cases in some provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, and Davao Region.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the nationwide dengue cases so far this year is significantly lower than in 2021. However, an increase has been observed in some areas.
“Sa ngayon kapag tinignan natin ang breakdown among different regions, doon natin nakikita ang pagtaas. Aside from Zamboanga or Region 9, mayroon din tayong nakikitang pagtaas sa mga kaso ng dengue sa Region 2, 6 at 11,” she said in an online media briefing.
(We see the increase in cases when we look at the breakdown in different regions. Aside from Region 9, we have also observed an increase of dengue cases in Regions 2, 6, and 11.)
“Mayroon pong specific provinces in each of these regions na apektado ng pagtaas ng kaso. Mayroon pong mga ibang probinsya ito na hindi mataas ang kanilang kaso, bagkus bumaba pa ang kaso nila ng dengue. Specific po sa probinsya ‘yung kanilang pagtaas,” she added.
(There are specific provinces in each of these regions that are affected by the increase. There are provinces that do not have an increase, but a decrease in dengue cases. The increase in dengue cases is specific to some provinces.)
Vergeire said the local government unit in Zamboanga City has declared an outbreak after dengue cases breached the epidemic threshold. She added that a “sustained increase” has been observed in some areas in Zamboanga Peninsula.
The DOH has already activated fast lanes in hospitals for dengue patients and prepositioned logistical needs in regional and local government units.
According to Vergeire, the most probable cause for the rise in dengue cases is the more frequent occurrence of rain.
She said that the majority of patients are those aged below 18.
“Mayroon silang dengue warning signs. Hindi naman lahat ng areas na ito ay nagkaroon ng pagtaas ng pagkakamatay because of dengue. Mayroon lang tayong namonitor na ang pinakamataas na reported were from Zamboanga City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu province, and Iloilo province,” the health official said.
(They have dengue warning signs. Not all of these areas are seeing an increase in deaths due to dengue. The highest reported deaths were from Zamboanga City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu provinces, and Iloilo province.)
“We are closely monitoring the situation. We were already able to discuss this and give advice and direction for our centers of health development so they can guide their local governments,” Vergeire assured.
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