DOH closely monitoring rise in dengue cases in Regions 3, 7, 9

The Department of Health (DOH) is now closely monitoring the increase in dengue cases in Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, an official of the agency said Tuesday.

According to data from DOH, 6,622 dengue cases were reported from April 10 to May 7, 2022, most of which came from Region 9 with 908 cases (14%), Region 7 with 881 cases (13%), and Region 3 with 593 cases (9%).

“Ang mga closely monitored natin na areas ay Region 7, Region 9, at Region 3 kung saan sila ang may pinakamalaking contributions sa mga bagong kaso na nakita natin nitong nakaraang buwan, maliban sa NCR (National Capital Region),” DOH Epidemiology Bureau chief Dr. Alethea de Guzman said in an Unang Balita interview.

(We are closely monitoring Regions 7, 9, and 3 wherein the highest numbers of dengue cases were recorded this past month, aside from the National Capital Region.)

The DOH said it has seen recent increases in dengue cases starting the end of March. It noted that the 11,435 dengue cases recorded from March 20 to April 30 was 94% higher than the cases reported during the same period in 2021, which was 5,901.

Reports showed that 19 people have already died due to dengue in Zamboanga City alone, which has already declared a dengue outbreak. The cases in the city reached over 2,000 from January to May 14, 2022.

Meanwhile, 11 have died in Cebu City also due to dengue, with more than 700 dengue cases recorded from January up to May 7 this year. The figure is the highest in Central Visayas, according to the DOH in Central Visayas.

Despite this, the agency said that there was a 6% decrease recorded from the 27,010 dengue cases in 2021 to the 25,268 this year throughout the same period, based on data gathered by its Epidemiology Bureau.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje earlier assured the public that dengue cases in the country remain manageable, but said they have already advised health facilities to prepare for an increase in admissions, especially for children.

The DOH further reminded the public to practice the 4S behaviors for the fight against dengue: Search and destroy breeding places; Secure self-protection; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas, especially now during the rainy season. —KBK, GMA News