(MB FILE PHOTO)
A total of 8,171 dengue cases nationwide from July 6 to July 19, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Saturday, August 9.
The figure, according to the agency, is 33 percent lower than the 12,166 cases reported from June 22 to July 5.
Despite this, the health department said the public should not let their guard down.
“‘Wag maging kampante sa banta ng dengue—maaraw man o maulan (Do not be complacent about the threat of dengue—whether it’s sunny or rainy),” the agency said.
In February, the DOH cautioned that dengue cases could climb during the rainy months, noting that mosquitoes can reproduce and spread the virus all year.
“Maaaring tumaas ang kaso ng dengue ngayong tag-ulan pero ano mang panahon ay pwedeng mangitlog ang lamok at makapagkalat ng sakit (Dengue cases may rise during the rainy season but mosquitoes can lay eggs and spread the disease in any season),” the agency said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
“About half of the world’s population is now at risk of dengue with an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring each year,” it said.
The global health body added that while many infections are mild or asymptomatic, the virus can cause severe illness and death.
“There is no specific treatment for dengue/severe dengue… Early detection and access to proper medical care greatly lower fatality rates of severe dengue,” it said.