By Analou De Vera
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported that the number of dengue cases across the country has soared to more than 360,000.
Department of Health (MANILA BULLETIN)
Based on the latest report of the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau, there were 360,646 dengue cases reported from January 1 to October 12, including 1,373 deaths.
The figure was higher compared to the 172,416 dengue cases, including 887 deaths, reported during the same period last year.
Calabarzon region was found to have the highest number of dengue cases with 60,614; followed by Western Visayas with 53,704 cases; National Capital Region (NCR) with 30,205 cases; Central Luzon with 29,208 cases; and Northern Mindanao with 23,849.
The health department noted that children aged five to nine years old were the “most affected age group" with 81,633 cases.
The DOH added that dengue cases "exceeded the epidemic threshold" in Calabarzon, Bicol region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, NCR, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Meanwhile, the DOH said that in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and Northern Mindanao, the incidence of dengue has "exceeded the alert level threshold."
Last August, the DOH declared a national dengue epidemic amid the increasing number of dengue cases nationwide.