Dengue cases starting to rise amid rainy season — DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) has now observed a slight increase in dengue cases nationwide amid the rainy season after the cases were reported to have plateaued from April to May.

Based on DOH’s latest data, the cases jumped by around 10% — from 5,547 reported on May 5-18, to 6,082 cases on May 19-June 1.

There were also only 4,689 cases reported from June 2 to 15 so far, but the agency said that this number may still change due to incoming late reports.

Since the start of the year up to June 15, a total of 77,867 dengue cases have been reported across the country, with 205 deaths.

The number of cases this year was also 15% higher compared to the 67,576 cases in the same period last year.

All regions, except for the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga, had increases from May 5 to June 1.

The DOH called on the public to follow the 4S behaviors: Search and destroy breeding places; use Self-protection; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging or spraying in hot spot areas, especially now that the rainy season is here.

To help address this viral infection, the agency also noted that other countries such as Singapore, use interventions like the Project Wolbachia, which uses bacteria in mosquitoes to disrupt the dengue transmission process.

“However, the World Health Organization (WHO) Vector Advisory Group as referred to by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) recommends that pilot tests for this technology should involve rigorous and independent monitoring and evaluation,” DOH said.

The heads of several doctors groups earlier called on the Philippine Food and  Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the license of a second-generation dengue vaccine, as the country lags behind its neighboring countries when it comes to vaccinating against the viral infection. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News