By Carolyn Bonquin, CNN Philippines

Published Sep 14, 2022 2:34:42 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 14) — The country’s dengue cases have climbed to 145,341 as of Aug. 27, a 105% increase from the cases recorded in the same period last year, the Department of Health’s (DOH) data showed.

Health authorities reported an additional 16,995 cases, of which 3,512 were recorded from Aug. 21 to 27.

Most of the recent infections came from the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Cagayan Valley, the report showed. 

The DOH noted that only 52,697 dengue patients were logged during the same period in 2021.

There were also 39 new deaths added, bringing the death toll to 461 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 27. This is higher than the 181 deaths recorded during the same period the previous year. 

During a meeting with the House Committee on Health last week, Health officer-in-charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire told lawmakers that intensive surveillance, with the help of other sectors, is needed in the fight against dengue.

She noted an increasing trend in dengue, and other diseases like leptospirosis and gastroenteritis.

“Sa budget na inihain may intervention to address this,” Vergeire said. “But most of the interventions would be more on preventive side, more on the collaboration between and among sectors, hindi lang health.”

[Translation: With our budget, there’s an intervention to address this. But most of the interventions would be more on the preventive side, more on the collaboration between and among sectors, not just the health sector.]

She added: “We also need the local governments, education sector and other sectors to help us in preventive measures like cleaning the surroundings, removing all of those pinagbabahayan ng lamok (mosquito-breeding sites). We need intensive surveillance for this.”

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos has also urged local government units to activate anti-dengue measures, particularly in barangays.

SOURCE: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/9/14/PH-145-000-dengue-cases-.html