A “significant” decrease in the number of cumulative dengue cases in the country has been observed from January 1 to May 7, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Citing the data gathered by the Epidemiology Bureau (EB), a six percent decrease has been recorded, from 27,010 last year, down to 25,268 this year for the said period.
“Weekly dengue case counts in 2022 were also significantly lower, except from March 20 to April 30, also known as Morbidity Weeks 12 to 17, with 11,435 dengue cases reported, which is 94 percent higher than the cases reported during the same specific time period in 2021 (5,901),” the health department noted.
Meanwhile, the DOH said areas contributing to the increase of dengue cases in the recent morbidity weeks were Regions II, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
EB’s data showed that most dengue cases were reported from Region VII at 13 percent (3,198 cases), Region III at 12 percent (3,087 cases), and Region IX at 10 percent (2,522).
In the most recent reported period---April 10 to May 7---where 6,622 cases were reported, most of the cases were also from the same regions with Region IX making up 14 percent (908 cases), Region VII at 13 percent (881 cases), and Region III at 9 percent (593).
To prevent the rise in the number of Dengue cases, the health department urged the public to practice the following 4S behaviors, which stands for Search and destroy breeding places, Secure self-protection, Seek early consultation, and Support fogging/spraying in hotspot areas.