IMAGE: INQUIRER.net / Daniella Marie Agacer
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has recorded almost 35,000 cases of dengue fever and 180 dengue-related deaths in the first five months of 2022, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Thursday.
In a report, the DOH said there were 34,938 dengue cases reported from January 1 to May 21, 2022, which is 23 percent higher compared to the reported cases during the same period in 2021, which were recorded at 28,336.
Most of the dengue cases came from Central Luzon with 1,416 cases (13 percent); Central Visayas with 1,329 cases (13 percent); and Zamboanga Peninsula with 856 cases (eight percent).
The DOH also said the case fatality of dengue nationwide is at 0.5 percent after reporting 180 mortalities due to the mosquito-borne illness.
Of the total reported deaths, 39 were recorded in January, 35 in February, 33 in March, 42 in April and 31 in May.
Some areas in the country declared a dengue outbreak, with the local government of Zamboanga declaring an outbreak in the area after reporting an exponential increase in dengue cases.
READ: Dengue outbreak declared in Zamboanga City
The DOH reiterated the importance of abiding with the “4S” which stands for search and destruction of mosquito-breeding sites; self-protection measures by wearing long pants and sleeves; seeking early consultation; and fogging or spraying.
Bites of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread dengue viruses to people.
The infection triggers a severe flu-like illness often followed by a sharp drop in an infected person’s platelet count.
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