Image by Daniella Marie Agacer
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday a sharp increase in the number of dengue cases nationwide.
From 6,323 cases from May 19 to June 1, the number grew by 30 percent to 8,246 from June 2 to June 15.
The latest tally from June 16 to June 29 showed dengue cases remaining at 8,213, but the DOH cautioned that there might be an increase due to late reports.
READ: DOH exec says Metro Manila has highest dengue cases for past 5 years
Seven regions have registered a hike in cases over the past six weeks before June 29: Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and National Capital Region.
READ: The dengue fight: From personal vigilance to collective resilience
From January until June 29, a total of 90,119 dengue cases have been reported with 233 deaths, up by 19 percent from the 75,968 cases with 291 deaths reported during the same period last year.
“From May 12 to June 29, the weekly case numbers have returned to either below or just slightly above what was recorded in 2023. This may be attributed to ongoing intensified efforts of local governments to kill mosquitoes by searching for and destroying their breeding water,” the DOH said in a statement. —Dexter Cabalza