THE MANGAHAS INTERVIEWS

DOH says measles, dengue infection rates in Philippines down in 2020

Cases of infectious diseases in the country have decreased this year, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

On "The Mangahas Interviews" hosted by Malou Mangahas, Duque said five of the top communicable diseases in the country had decreased anywhere from 20% to 90%.

According to Duque, cases of measles went down by 90%, while acute meningitis and encephalomyelitis decreased from 50% to 60%.

He added that cases of dengue also went down by 77%.

Moreover, even after the Philippines was lashed by a string of typhoons this year, Duque said leptospirosis cases still went down by 60% to 70%.

He attributed the significant decrease to the strict implementation of the minimum health standards amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Maganda dito ‘yong ating paalala sa minimum health standards, nasapul din itong ibang mga infection tulad ng typhoid cases natin, hepatitis, cholera, so lahat ito ay ‘yon palang minimum health standards na paalala, ang laki ng value,” Duque said.

Earlier this month, data from the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response also showed a decrease in other infectious diseases.

Dengue cases fell by 81%, acute bloody diarrhea and cholera by 50%, Hepatitis A by 63%, typhoid fever by 70%, and measles by 92%.

The Department of Health also earlier reported that leptospirosis cases this year were 66% lower than last year. -NB, GMA News