Dengue cases nationwide 13% lower than last year - DOH

MANILA, Oct. 6 (PNA) – Despite a sharp increase in dengue cases in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) noted the cases from January 1 to August 23 this year are 13 percent lower than the same period last year.

According to the recent dengue surveillance report of the DOH–National Epidemiology Center (NEC), a total of 24,794 cases were admitted in different sentinel hospitals nationwide from the said period this year compared to the 28,431 cases last year.

The report said the regions with highest number of cases were the National Capital Region (NCR) with 8,386; Region 3, 2,719; Region 7, 2,352; Region 4-A, 2,339; Region 11, 1,722; and Region 9, 1,539.

The DOH also noted several dengue hotspots in NCR and in Cebu. These were Baesa and Batasan Hills in Quezon City, Parang in Marikina; Barangay 177 in Kalookan for NCR; and in Cebu, Barangay Labangon, Marigondon in Lapu-Lapu City and Looc in Danao City.

This year's recorded deaths of 257 are also lower compared to the 276 deaths on the same period in 2007.

Region 7 posted the highest number of deaths with 83 followed by NCR with 56; Region 3, 26; Region 4-A, 21; and Region 1 with 14 deaths.

The DOH-NEC is closely monitoring the cluster of dengue in the said areas if the number will continue to rise in the following days.

The agency earlier noted more than 100 percent increase in dengue cases in NCR with 8,386 cases from January 1 to August 23 this year compared to the 3,106 cases on the same period last year.

In NCR, Quezon City has the highest number of cases with 2,078 followed by Manila, 1,736; Kalookan, 1,187; Valenzuela, 569; Pasig, 407 and Taguig, 331.

The DOH has alerted local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila on rise of dengue cases this year.

It reminded barangay health departments to be rigid on the promotion of the 4-S against dengue campaign to the barangay level.