Dengue cases hit 118,526 from January to August 6, up 153% than last year

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said at least 118,526 dengue cases were logged from January 1 to August 6, 2022. This is 153% higher compared to the reported cases during the same period in 2021.

In a press briefing, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said at least 29,586 dengue cases were recorded in the recent period from July 10 to August 6.

“Of which, 64% were hospitalized and this is lower than those hospitalized in the past four weeks. Kasi in the past four weeks yung mga na-oospital almost 70% plus, ngayon bumababa na nang husto,” Vergeire said.

(In the past four weeks, those who were hospitalized were almost 70 percent, now the cases are down.)

“So we hope tuloy tuloy po ito na pababa na ang mga kaso at sa tingin namin with the efforts of our local government, people also are seeking early consultation. Isa po ito sa mga pinagbibilin natin sa ating mga kababayan na pagka tayo ay nagpakonsulta nang mas maaga maiiwasan ang komplikasyon ng dengue,” she added.

(So we hope the downtrend in cases will continue, and we think with the efforts of our local government, people also are seeking early consultation. This is one of the things we remind the public that if we consult earlier, the complications of dengue can be avoided.)

Based on the recent period, the DOH said the region with the highest number of cases are in Central Luzon with 6,035, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 4,045, and Western Visayas with 2,946.

The Health department said 10 out of 17 regions such as Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, Cordillera Administrative Region, and NCR.

The Health department said 10 out of 17 regions in the Philippines have exceeded the epidemic threshold in the past four weeks from July 10 to August 6, 2022.

These regions are Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, Cordillera Administrative Region, and NCR.

The latest data also showed that 399 deaths due to dengue were reported, according to the DOH.

“We have been flagging our public for this past few weeks ngayon ang medyo challenge sa ating lahat napupuno ang ating mga hospitals because of non-COVID admissions,” Vergeire said.

"Nakita natin na marami tayong mga kababayan na naka-admit for dengue, around 18,000 admissions for dengue all over the country.... Sa mga kabataan ngayon nakikita natin marami rin naadmit dahil dito sa mga sakit na uso lalong tag-ulan,” she added.

(We see patients are admitted for dengue, around 18,000 admissions all over the country. We also see young people getting admitted for diseases associated with the rainy season.)

Leptospirosis cases

According to the DOH, there were 1,411 leptospirosis cases reported from January 1 to August 6, 2022. Cumulatively, cases this year are 22% higher compared to the reported cases during the same period in 2021 with 1,157.

The Health department said most leptospirosis cases were reported from the NCR with 263 cases, followed by Western Visayas with 171, and Cagayan Valley with 169.

Based on the recent period, the department said at least 251 cases were recorded from July 10 to August 6.

“Regions V, VII, and XI breached the alert and epidemic threshold within the past four morbidity weeks. However, no clustering was noted nationwide,” the DOH said in a statement.

Meanwhile, there were 188 deaths reported due to leptospirosis.

“Ang ating paalala ngayong tag-ulan kung makakaiwas kayo lumusong sa mga baha, huwag muna lumusong. Kung kailangan talaga, magbota po tayo. Kung wala pong bota, magplastic po tayo ng paa. Pagdating sa bahay hugasang mabuti ang paa,” Vergeire reminded.

(Our reminder this rainy season is if you can avoid walking in the flood, don't. If it's really necessary, wear boots. If there are no boots, put plastic on your feet and when you get home, wash your feet immediately.)—LDF, GMA News