(INQUIRER FILES)
MANILA, Philippines — Dengue and leptospirosis cases in the country are rising amid continuous rain and flooding, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Monday.
The health department’s latest data showed that 2,079 leptospirosis cases have so far been recorded from January 1 to July 15, along with 225 deaths.
One hundred eighty new cases were logged from June 18 to July 1 alone, accounting for a 42 percent increase from the 128 cases reported two weeks prior.
“Region III (Central Luzon) exhibited [a] continuous increase in cases in the recent 6 weeks, reporting nine cases in the recent two weeks (July 2 to 15),” the DOH said.
(AP file photo)
Meanwhile, Metro Manila, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao region also had increased cases in the last three to four weeks with 7 to 53 new cases reported.
The Ilocos and Bicol regions had increased cases in the recent two weeks, with 9 and 3 cases reported, respectively.
Dengue rising
A total of 80,318 infections have so far been reported from January 1 to July 15, 2023, the health department reported.
In the last three to four weeks, the DOH logged 9,486 dengue infections, a 16 percent increase from the previous two weeks.
“All regions except Cagayan Valley, Barmm, and Caraga showed [an] increase in cases over the recent three to four weeks,” the DOH said.
Nine hundred ninety cases were classified as severe, resulting in 299 deaths.
Thirty-nine of the deaths had no warning signs.
Keep it clean; :the 5S strategy
Due to the onset of the rainy /wet season, the DOH reminded the public to maintain a clean environment to prevent the breeding and proliferation of dengue-causing mosquitoes and rodents, which may carry the leptospirosis-causing bacteria, leptospira.
The DOH also advised the public against wading in flood waters. If people have no choice, they must at least wear boots for protection and be wary of dirty and contaminated water.
It also reminded the public of the 5S Strategy – search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; uphold self-protection like using insect repellents; seek early consultation at the nearest health care facility; support fogging, spraying, and misting in hot spot areas; and sustain hydration.
The public is also encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu.