Dengue fatalities have been on a downward trend despite rising cases, suggesting "better health-seeking behavior" among Filipinos, said the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday.
Deaths due to the viral infection from the first of January to August 10 this year only numbered to 396, which is fewer than the 421 deaths recorded in the same period in 2023. This may indicate that Filipinos have become more prompt in seeking medical attention, which would be followed by early testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
However, dengue cases have spiked by 39 percent this year, having reached 150,354 nationwide compared to 107,953 in 2023. Cases recorded on June 14 to 27 have gone up by 24 percent at 23,290 patients from the previous two-week period, June 30 to July 13, with only 18,784 cases.
Within the past 3-4 weeks prior to August 10, climbing infection rates have been observed in all regions save for SOCCSKARGEN, previously referred to as Central Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bicol.
The DOH urges the public to follow its 4S strategy:
- Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites
- Secure self-protection by wearing light-colored clothing and applying insect repellents when able
- Seek early consultation if symptoms of dengue appear
- Spraying and fogging hotspot areas for two consecutive weeks to prevent outbreaks
"Dengue has a seasonal pattern. Case counts are expected to rise during the rainy months. It is good that more Filipinos are seeking early consultation that leads to less deaths. Keep cleaning our surroundings--search and destroy mosquito breeding grounds: anything with stagnant water," pressed Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
