Dengue cases nationwide drop 8% in mid-October 2024

Over 21,000 dengue cases were recorded across the country from Sept. 29 to Oct. 12—a decrease by 8% from the monitoring period two weeks prior, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

The DOH said new dengue cases went down to 21,097 from 23,032 logged on Sept. 15-28. This brought the total caseload so far this year to 314,785.

The number of people who died due to dengue has  also declined this year, with a case fatality rate of 0.26% as of Oct. 26, compared to the 0.34% during the same period last year.

According to DOH, the regions that recently recorded an increase in dengue cases were: National Capital Region (from 2,765 cases to 3,002 cases); Central Luzon (from 2,219 cases to 2,351 cases); and Calabarzon (from 2,907 cases to 3,513 cases).

"The rainy season is likely to have increased the number of breeding grounds for mosquitoes due to the accumulation of stagnant water in some regions," the agency said.

The DOH-Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) reported Tuesday that dengue and leptospirosis cases in the National Capital Region have been steadily increasing this year and may rise further in the coming weeks following the flooding caused by the recent typhoons.

The Health Department has been reminding the public to practice the 4S strategy against dengue: Search and destroy breeding places; Secure self-protection; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas, especially during the rainy season. — VDV, GMA Integrated News