THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said dengue cases nationwide have gradually climbed in the past weeks coinciding with rains.
“From the earlier reported plateau, the number of cases has started climbing slightly,” the DOH said in a statement.
It said 5,547 cases were reported last May 5 to 18 and 6,082 cases from May 19 to June 1.
From June 2 to 15, only 4,689 cases were reported but the DOH said reports are still incomplete.
“The DOH cautions that this number may still change due to incoming late reports,” it said.
From January 1 to June 15, the DOH said 77,867 dengue cases have been reported, or about 15 percent higher than the previous year’s tally of 67,576 during the same period.
Because of the threat of dengue, the DOH called on the public anew to use the “4S” strategy against the mosquito-borne disease.
It refers to Search and Destroy mosquito breeding grounds by eliminating stagnant water and their containers; Self-protection measures like insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants; Seek early consultation with a doctor or health worker for any symptom; and Support fogging or spraying in local hotspot or outbreak areas where an increase in cases is registered.
The DOH said it continues to monitor the developments in the Project Wolbachia of Singapore, which uses bacteria in mosquitoes to disrupt the dengue transmission process.
This, the DOH said, is because the World Health Organization is still calling for pilot testing for the Project Wolbachia by using “rigorous and independent monitoring and evaluation.”
