The Department of Health (DOH) continues to protect the Filipino public from W.I.L.D (Water-borne illness, Influenza-like Illness, Leptospirosis, and Dengue) diseases that are common during the rainy season.
National data as of July 27, 2024 (Morbidity Week 30) listed a total of 128,834 Dengue cases, 33% higher compared to the 97,211 cases in the same period last year. However, fewer Dengue deaths have been recorded this year (n=337) compared to last year (n=378) for the same time period.
The DOH sees the lower number of deaths this year (despite the higher number of cases) as an indication of people seeking early consultation, and hospitals doing better case management.
“Seeking consultation early and treating patients properly leads to less deaths even with more cases.”
“The good news is seeking consultation early and treating patients properly leads to less deaths even with more cases – look at our numbers,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.
The Department continues to advise the public of its 4S strategy against Dengue as cases are still on an uptrend, showing an increase from 12,153 cases recorded from June 16-29, to 18,349 cases recorded from June 30 to July 13. Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Cagayan Valley, and CALABARZON regions have shown a continuous rise in Dengue numbers in the recent six weeks counting back from July 27, 2024.
“Let us keep searching and destroying containers that allow mosquitoes to multiply.”
“We know that more stagnant water means more mosquitoes and more Dengue. So let us keep searching and destroying containers that allow mosquitoes to multiply,” Herbosa said.
“Using self-protection measures like clothes that cover the skin, mosquito nets and repellants will help slow down the rise in cases. Let us also support fogging or spraying in areas identified as local hotspots or outbreak zones,” the health chief added.
