The Department of Health (DOH) has announced its support for nine local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines, which are grappling with a significant increase in dengue cases. These regions span across Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and the National Capital Region (NCR). In a recent radio interview, DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo highlighted Quezon City as one of the Metro Manila areas experiencing a rise in dengue incidents. The city officially declared a dengue outbreak after documenting 1,769 cases from January 1 to February 14, marking a nearly 200% increase from the previous year’s figures for the same period. Tragically, this surge has led to at least 10 deaths, with eight of the victims being minors. Nationally, the DOH reported a 40% increase in dengue cases, totaling 28,234 from January 1 to February 1, compared to 2024. Domingo attributed the early onset of the dengue season to unusual weather patterns, including the shear line, intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), and easterlies, which have led to increased water accumulation and mosquito breeding. He noted that climate change has altered the behavior of mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus. To combat the spread, Domingo urged the public to wear protective clothing, use mosquito repellents, and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. He also described the symptoms of dengue, which include a high fever ranging from 39 to 40°C, and warned that the fever’s pattern could be misleading, with critical warning signs such as bleeding gums, rashes, and changes in stool color appearing after the fever subsides. The DOH’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESU) are actively coordinating with local units to monitor and manage the outbreak. Domingo clarified that declaring a dengue outbreak by an LGU official does not signify a disaster but indicates an unusually high number of cases for a specific period.
Department of Health Steps Up to Combat Dengue Surge in Nine Philippine Regions
·
