Cases of flu-like illnesses start to plateau, says DOH

MANILA, Philippines — The rising trend of confirmed influenza-like illnesses (ILI) has plateaued, according to the Department of Health (DOH), even as the country saw a 45-percent jump in cases last month from year-ago levels.

Based on the latest DOH figures, a total of 171,067 ILI infections were reported from Jan. 1 to Oct. 28 this year. The number is an increase by 49 percent from the 114,536 ILI cases recorded during the same period last year.

The DOH noted that the increase could be attributed to the rainy season.

The health department, however, “anticipates the cases to decrease in the coming weeks” as the trend has already reached a lull.

“Cases started to increase during late August … and a higher number of cases was sustained over the next four weeks. However, we note that cases are currently plateauing,” DOH said in a statement to reporters on Wednesday.

READ: DOH: COVID-19 weekly cases down to 895

‘Self-assessment’

It urged the public to do a “self-assessment” of their health risks and practice precautionary steps as the holiday season nears to maintain protection against diseases.

“Everyone should perform individual self-assessment and, as needed, employ layers of protection such as masking, ensuring adequate ventilation and isolating when sick,” said DOH.

It also stressed the need to get updated vaccines against various illnesses to curb severe infections.