The Caraga region has experienced a dramatic 194% increase in dengue cases from January to mid-November this year compared to the same period in 2023, according to the regional health office in Butuan City. The Department of Health 13 (Caraga) disclosed that the region has seen 13,319 cases of dengue this year, a sharp rise from the 4,528 cases reported last year. The breakdown of these cases includes 1,108 confirmed, 3,901 probable, and 8,310 suspect cases, with a total of 74 deaths linked to dengue. The highest numbers of cases were recorded in Surigao del Norte with 4,135 cases, followed by Surigao del Sur with 3,440, Agusan del Norte with 1,932, Agusan del Sur with 1,610, Dinagat Islands with 549, and Butuan City with 1,653 cases. In response, the DOH-13, working alongside local government units, is stepping up its efforts to fight the spread of dengue throughout the region. The health department is calling on residents to play their part in controlling the outbreak by eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed, using insect repellents, and promptly seeking medical help if they experience symptoms such as fever.
