By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) said Friday it has observed a slowdown in the trend of dengue cases recorded in the past four weeks nationwide.
From Jan. 19 to Feb. 15, a total of 15,134 dengue cases was logged, translating to a 5 percent drop from the 15,904 cases logged in the same period last year.
“This welcome change may be due to heightened public awareness and collective action following the recent calls to action. In focus would be the more frequent clean-up drives to search and destroy stagnant water mosquito breeding sites, and misting or fogging in hotspot areas with high mosquito vector load,” the DOH said in a statement.
However, the overall tally of dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 stands at 43,732, which is 56 percent higher than the 27,995 cases recorded in the same period last year.
The three regions that account for more than half of the cases nationwide are Calabarzon with 9,113, the National Capital Region (7,551), and Central Luzon (7,362).
However, the case fatality ratio (CFR) this year is lower at 0.38 percent compared to the 0.42 percent for the same period last year.
“Using World Health Organization (WHO) studies as reference, the Philippines’ nationwide Dengue CFR indicates timely diagnosis and appropriate management,” the DOH said.
It noted that 17 local government units (LGUs) within the three regions with the highest number of cases are dengue hotspots.
Local chief executives have the authority to declare outbreaks in their locality and it is ready to support LGUs in their intensified response efforts, it added.
“The Centers for Health Development are also coordinating with LGUs to implement necessary preventive measures to combat the spread of dengue. LGUs have also launched intensive vector control measures and clean-up drives to eliminate mosquito breeding sites,” the department said.
The DOH has prepositioned thousands of Dengue IgG/IgM and Dengue RDT (NS1) test kits to augment possible logistical needs on the ground.
All government hospitals and health facilities have been directed to reactivate their dengue fast lanes to ensure expedited triage, diagnosis, and treatment of suspected dengue cases.
Citing that most dengue cases are among the age groups of 10 to 14 and 5 to 9, the DOH urged parents and caregivers to make their children wear long-sleeved clothes and pants, apply mosquito repellents, use mosquito nets while sleeping, and avoid mosquito-prone areas. (PNA)
