The Department of Health (DOH) said that the continuous rise of dengue infections in the Philippines is now alarming.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a Laging Handa briefing that the situation is now considered alarming because some patients have been admitted in hospitals.
The country posted a total of 51,622 dengue cases from January to June. The number is higher compared to the 32,610 cases logged in the same period last year.
“Unang-una, alarming in terms of pagdami, ano? So kailangan talaga na mag-ingat and i-monitor nang husto dahil nakikita natin ang patuloy na pagtaas. Kaya po siya nakakaalarma na sinasabi natin dahil naapektuhan niya po ‘yung ating mga kabataan at nagkakaroon tayo ng admisyon sa mga ospital,” Vergeire said.
The regions with the most number of cases are Regions III, VII, and IX.
Vergeire noted that funds have been distributed to other regions to help hospitals meet the increasing number of dengue cases in their areas.
The DOH earlier advised the public to follow the 4S strategy, which is to search and destroy breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas, to combat dengue.
— Ronald Espartinez