Rise of dengue cases alarming — DOH’s Vergeire

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said the increase of dengue cases in the Philippines is already alarming.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that the situation is already alarming as some individuals are now being admitted in hospitals.

Vergeire said from January to June of this year, the DOH recorded a total of 51,622 dengue cases all over the country, which is higher compared to the 32,610 cases reported in the same period last year.

"Unang-una, alarming in terms of pagdami, ano? So kailangan talaga na mag-ingat and i-monitor nang husto dahil nakikita natin ang patuloy na pagtaas. Kaya po siya nakakaalarma na sinasabi natin dahil naapektuhan niya po 'yung ating mga kabataan at nagkakaroon tayo ng admisyon sa mga ospital," Vergeire said.

(First, the increase is already alarming. We need to be cautious and closely monitor the increase. It is alarming because our youth is already affected and there are already hospital admissions.)

Vergeire said the regions with most cases are Regions III, VII, and IX.

Vergeire said funds have been downloaded to other regions to cater to the needs of hospitals in addressing the dengue situation in their areas.

The DOH earlier advised the public to follow the 4S strategy, which is to search and destroy breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas, to combat dengue. — RSJ, GMA News