THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said almost 200,000 cases of dengue have been reported nationwide with still two months left in 2022.
The Disease Surveillance Report of the DOH showed 196,728 dengue cases reported from January 1 to November 5.
The number is 191 percent higher compared to the 67,537 dengue cases reported during the same period last year.
In the latest report, the Central Luzon region has the highest number of cases at 38,640 followed by the National Capital Region or Metro Manila with 22,666 cases, and Calabarzon (16,575).
With the highest increase compared to 2021 are Cagayan Valley (1,819 percent hike, with 16,522 cases from 861), Zamboanga Peninsula (813 percent, with 9,328 from 1,022 cases), and Central Visayas (652 percent, with 16,259 cases from 2,162).
The DOH also reported more deaths from dengue this year, with 642, or a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.3 percent.
In 2021, there were 247 deaths or a CFR of 0.4 percent.
Central Visayas had the most number of deaths at 98, followed by Central Luzon and Western Visayas with 83 deaths each.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, DOH officer-in-charge, has attributed the increase in dengue numbers to the higher mobility in the country compared to the previous year.
“In the past two years of the pandemic, there were less mobility of the population, schools were closed, so as with other establishments. People were at home most of the time, and this contributed to lesser dengue infections,” Vergeire said.
The DOH has also noted that dengue cases usually peak at the start of the rainy season between June and August. Numbers are expected to go down from September to November, and rise anew by December and January.
To note, dengue is a virus that is transmitted by day-biting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
The DOH has repeatedly urged the public to practice the “4S” strategy to prevent dengue infection. The “4S” strategy stands for Search and Destroy breeding places; Secure self-protection; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging/spraying in hot spot areas.
