The Department of Health (DOH) recorded a slight increase in dengue cases during the week of July 13 to 26, reaching 15,091, the agency said on Saturday, August 16.

This figure was seven percent higher compared to the 14,131 cases tallied from June 29 to July 12, the DOH said.

The DOH said dengue infections went up during the week that the effects of storms Crising, Dante, and Emong were felt across the country.

According to the agency, they remain on alert as dengue fast lanes in DOH hospitals continue to operate.

“Nananatili namang naka-alerto ang DOH sa mga kaso ng dengue sa bansa, at nananatiling aktibo ang mga dengue fastlanes sa mga DOH hospitals (The DOH remains on alert for dengue cases in the country, and dengue fast lanes in DOH hospitals remain active),” the agency said.

The DOH urged the public to use breaks from rainfall to clean surroundings where stagnant water could collect, such as flowerpots, roof gutters, clogged canals, and drains.

“Samantalahin ang mga oras na hindi umuulan para maglinis ng mga lugar na pwedeng mapag-ipunan ng tubig tulad ng mga paso, alulod, baradong kanal at imburnal dahil dito nangingitlog ang lamok na Aedes aegypti na nagkakalat ng dengue (The public should use hours without rain to clean areas where water could accumulate such as flowerpots, roof gutters, clogged canals, and drains, since these are breeding sites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads dengue),” the DOH said.

The agency also reminded households to keep containers dry and covered to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

“Gawin ang taob, taktak, tuyo, at takip sa mga simpleng lalagyanan ng tubig na pinamamahayan din ng nasabing lamok (Do the flip, drain, dry, and cover on simple water containers where the same mosquito can also breed),” the DOH advised.

The DOH added that individuals experiencing symptoms should seek immediate consultation.

“Kung sakaling makaranas ng lagnat ng dalawang araw at makaramdam ng mga sintomas tulad ng pagpapantal, pananakit ng katawan, kalamnan at mga mata, pagkahilo at pagsusuka, agad na kumonsulta sa health center o magtungo sa mga dengue fast lanes sa mga DOH hospitals (If you experience fever for two days and symptoms such as rashes, body pain, muscle and eye pain, dizziness, and vomiting, immediately consult a health center or go to dengue fast lanes in DOH hospitals),” the DOH said.

Per World Health Organization (WHO), dengue is a viral infection spread to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

About half of the global population is at risk, with 100 to 400 million cases occurring annually, it added.

WHO noted that many infections are mild or show no symptoms, but the virus can also cause severe illness and even death.

The global health body stressed that there is still no specific treatment for dengue, although early detection and timely medical care significantly reduce fatality rates.