The Department of Health (DoH) announced a 13.82 percent decrease in the number of dengue cases recorded from January 1 to July 9 at 34,090 compared 39,556 cases within the same period last year.
Despite the notable decline of the mosquito-borne disease, health officials said the public should continue to be vigilant against mosquitoes and be aggressive in destroying their breeding grounds.
“This is significant and considerable, but it is too early for us to claim victory. We are at the middle of the increase. This is the time of the year when dengue occurs,” DoH secretary Enrique T. Ona said, in a press briefing.
Ona said we are “almost at the height” of dengue season as it increases during the rainy season. He said dengue cases usually peak during August.
Cases in the National Capital Region increased by 178.84 percent at 8909 cases compared to last year’s 3195 cases.
Similarly, Central Luzon saw a 380.39 percent increase with 5,731 cases against last year’s 1193 cases. CALABARZON registered a 36.74 percent increase with 5,013 cases compared to 3666 in 2010.
A total of 198 deaths have been recorded within the said period.
Ona emphasized that increase in cases is common during rainy season.
“It is important at this time of the year not to lower our guard down…we should clean our areas. Barangays could partner with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Depamrtment of Education. We suggest maybe for two days every week. They should conduct a clean-up brigade. The whole community should participate in cleaning up garbage and empty water in cans and pots,” he said.
The high population density in NCR is a major factor why the region is always among the areas with the highest number of dengue cases, Ona said. Garbage problem also contributes to the problem, he said.
(source: Manila Bulletin)
