The ease in mobility restriction is one of the contributing factors to a notable surge of recorded dengue cases in Central Visayas, said an expert at a webinar on Friday, June 10, titled “Dengue Alert sa Panahon ng Pandemya.”
The webinar was hosted by the University of the Philippines (UP), in partnership with UP Manila National Institutes of Health, UP National Telehealth Center, and Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).
According to the Department of Health's data, Central Visayas has the most number of dengue cases in the country from January to May this year with 4,544, followed by Central Luzon with 4,312; and the Zamboanga Peninsula with 3,215 cases.
"This is expected with the increased mobility of the society and with the recent rainfall," shared Belle M. Ranile, a pediatric infectious disease specialist.
Typhoons Odette and Agaton brought heavy rains and created good breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes or also known as the Aedes aegypti.
Cebu City also topped the most number of dengue deaths and cases in Region 7 during the aforementioned period with 936 cases and 12 deaths.
Ranile also emphasized that dengue-carrying mosquitoes prefer and are present in countries with high humidity and temperature like the Philippines.
"Climate change may have a role in the increase of dengue cases also worldwide," she added.
The Philippines is number one among all Southeast Asian countries with the highest risk of getting the dengue virus since it is "hyperendemic" in the country, shared Evalyn A. Roxas, a clinical associate professor at UP-PGH.
Because of that, experts advised the public to remain vigilant and collaborate with community officials to prevent the spread of the dengue virus.
They also reminded to always follow the "4S Kontra Dengue" — Search and destroy breeding places, Secure self-protection, Seek early consultation, and Support indoor and outdoor spraying to prevent impending outbreak.
Moreover, they recommended seeking early consultation once dengue symptoms, such as fever, severe headache, swollen glands, pain behind the eyes, and vomiting occur especially since there is no vaccine and cure yet for this available in the country.
"Increase in death rate is attributed to poor health-seeking behaviors in the community," Zelig Javier, former dengue coordinator of Cebu City Health Department warned. (Luisa Cabato)