DOH: Guard against dengue as rains come

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MANILA, Philippines — Although dengue cases may have dipped during summer, the Department of Health (DOH) has urged the public to be ready when the rains come next month—a period usually associated with a surge in cases of the mosquito-borne disease.

Based on data released on Sunday, the DOH said the number of dengue cases went down by 3 percent from 5,380 (from March 24 to April 6) to 5,211 (April 7 to April 20). The figures declined further by 30 percent in the next two weeks (April 21 to May 4), with only 3,634 cases recorded.

READ: DOH: Dengue cases rising in Cordillera

The DOH, however, was cautious in interpreting the data, as the numbers may change due to late reports from local units. From Jan. 1 to May 4 this year, there were a total of 59,257 dengue cases recorded, with 164 deaths.

During the same period in 2023 (Morbidity Week 18), only a total of 40,032 cases with 127 deaths were reported.

“As the season turns from dry to wet, dengue is something we must not forget. We brought cases down because of intense public awareness and close community action. Let us keep it that way,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement.

Search and destroy

“Kill mosquitoes so that the dengue they bring will not kill you. This early, before the full swing of the rainy season, families and communities should search and destroy mosquito breeding sites—anywhere or anything where water can accumulate and stay still,” he added.

The DOH reminded the public of the “5S” strategy to combat dengue: search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, use self-protection measures, seek early consultation, say yes to fogging where needed and start and sustain hydration.

Dengue outbreaks usually occur in the rainy season from May to November, because of the presence of stagnant waters, which are perfect breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the main vector transmitting the virus.

The DOH, however, earlier warned the public that dengue was among the heat-related diseases it was monitoring for a possible uptick in cases due to the El Niño phenomenon being experienced in the country.

With the prolonged summer and droughts causing a shortage in water supply, the public was expected to store clean water in containers, another possible breeding ground for mosquitoes to lay their eggs when these are not properly covered.