FILE PHOTO: Dengue cases increased by 33 percent nationwide to more than 128,800 during the first seven months of 2024, according to the Department of Health (DOH). From January to July 27, the DOH said 128,834 people caught dengue – higher than the 97,211 cases logged in the same period last year. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Dengue cases increased by 33 percent nationwide to more than 128,800 during the first seven months of 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.
From January to July 27, the DOH said 128,834 people caught dengue – higher than the 97,211 cases logged in the same period last year.
The DOH, however, noted that despite increased cases, dengue-related deaths slightly went down to 337 from 378 in 2023.
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It said the lower death count in the first seven months of this year was due to the public’s initiative to seek early consultation and improved hospital case management.
The health department nevertheless repeated its reminder to the public to comply with the “4S Strategy” against dengue: “Search and Destroy” mosquito breeding places, “Secure Self Protection” from mosquito bite, “Seek Early Consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and “Say Yes to Fogging.”
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“We know that more stagnant water means more mosquitoes and more dengue. So let us keep searching and destroying containers that allow mosquitoes to multiply. The good news is [that] seeking consultation early and treating patients properly leads to [fewer] deaths, even [in] more cases. Look at our numbers,” said DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement.
“Using self-protection measures like clothes that cover the skin, mosquito nets, and repellants will help slow down the rise in cases. Let us also support fogging or spraying in areas identified as local hotspots or outbreak zones,” he added.