DOH reports 45% increase in flu-like illness cases in PH

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, Oct. 18 said 151,375 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases have so far been recorded this year.

This is 45 percent higher compared to 104,613 ILI cases reported during the same period last year.

From Sept. 3 to 16, 2023 alone, DOH said ILI cases have increased by 26 percent compared to the reported cases two weeks prior.

DOH noted that the increase in cases usually coincided with the onset of rainy and colder months since 2009.

“We are implementing strict monitoring of cases as we anticipate a rise in cases in the coming months,” it pointed out.

DOH emphasized that the number of cases observed in most diseases under surveillance increased in 2023 compared to the previous year, which could be attributed to efforts to strengthen surveillance for other diseases as a result of a shift in focus away from Covid-19. (Zekinah Elize Espina)