The Department of Health (DOH) said that the number of dengue cases in the country has already reached more than 82,000 since the start of this year.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that a total of 82,597 dengue cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to July 16.
"Cases this year is higher than 106 percent compared to the cases reported during the same period in 2021," said Vergeire on Tuesday, August 2.
Most dengue cases were recorded in Central Luzon with 13,449. It was followed by Central Visayas with 8,905 cases, and the National Capital Region with 6,884.
"Ten out of 17 regions exceeded the epidemic threshold in the past four weeks," said Vergeire.
"Nationally, 319 deaths were recorded with a case fatality of 0.4 percent," she added.
The DOH reminded the public to practice the 4s strategy amid the increasing trend in dengue cases.
The 4s strategy include search and destroy breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early medical consultation, and support fogging/spraying in hot spot areas.
"The DOH also ensures that our hospitals and clinics provide their patients with dengue fast lanes at their emergency areas for prompt diagnosis and management of cases," the state health agency said in a statement.
"Hospitals and clinics may use rapid diagnostic tests for NS1 to aid in screening. Report all cases to the local epidemiology and surveillance unit (LESU)," it added.