Dengue cases lower by 46% in 2020, says DOH

The number of dengue cases in the Philippines this year is 46 percent lower compared to the same period in 2019, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

“Recently, nakapag-observe tayo ng mas mababang bilang ng mga kaso ng dengue, kumpara sa parehong panahon noong nakaraang taon,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing, citing data from the Epidemiology Bureau.

Vergeire said the decrease in dengue cases may be a possible effect of the public’s increased awareness due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Napakahalaga po talaga na hindi tayo tumigil sa pag-observe ng preventive protocols,” she said.

A total of 50,169 dengue cases were recorded from January 1 to May 30 this year, lower than the 92,808 cases recorded over the same period in 2019, according to the DOH’s Dengue Surveillance Report for Week 22.

Only two regions nationwide saw an uptick in dengue cases over the same months, with Region III posting a 14 percent increase and Region VII registering a 3 percent rise compared to 2019.

Dengue-related deaths over the same period also dropped to 173 in 2020 from 452 in 2019.

The director of the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau also urged Filipinos to continue observing the “4S” in dengue prevention: self-protection from mosquito bites, search and destroy mosquito breeding places, seek early consultation, and support fogging only in times of dengue outbreak.

“Ang general community quarantine ay pagkakataon ng buong pamilya na linisin ang loob at labas ng bahay,” Dr. Napoleon Arevalo added.

He urged those who develop dengue symptoms to immediately go to the nearest healthcare facility.

Some of the symptoms of dengue are fever, headaches, muscle and joint pains, rashes, diarrhea, vomiting, and gum bleeding. 

June 15 was also declared Dengue Day by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. -NB, GMA News