Department of Health officials in Central Visayas led by its director Jaime Bernadas (second from left) answer queries from reporters on the increase in dengue cases in the region. (DALE ISRAEL/INQUIRER VISAYAS)
CEBU CITY—Dengue cases in Central Visayas have reached more than 4,000 since January.
Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato, the regional dengue program coordinator, said Monday that the numbers have not yet reached outbreak or epidemic levels.
“At this point, it is already a cause of concern,” he said.
DOH data showed that 4,693 suspected dengue cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to May 28, with 38 deaths.
Most of the cases were found in the urban centers, specifically in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, and the town of Minglanilla. Cebu City alone has more than 900 dengue patients.
Dr. Jaime Bernadas, regional health director, reminded the public to clean up their surroundings and destroy all possible breeding grounds of mosquitoes.
Bernadas said the number of dengue cases has not overwhelmed the healthcare facilities in the region.
The case fatality rate for dengue in the region is 0.8, lower than the accepted 1.0 threshold.
Dr. Buscato also noted that the dengue cases in Central Visayas have yet to reach their peak, which means the numbers would still rise.
Based on previous data, dengue cases were expected to rise in the region in 2022 or every three years. The last outbreak for Central Visayas was in 2019 and 2016.