MANILA, March 4 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a 9 percent decrease in dengue cases in the National Capital Region (NCR), with 3,148 cases from Jan. 1 to Feb. 24, 2024. Cases during the same period last year were at 3,464. The case fatality rate (CFR) is at 0.13 percent, with four reported deaths.
DOH data showed majority of the cases – 1,686 or 54 percent of the total – were male, while 28 percent or 870 cases belong to the 5 to 9 years age group. "No city or municipality in NCR has reached the epidemic threshold or the alert threshold for this week. Overall, Metro Manila is below alert threshold this week," the agency said.
During the recent weeks, the Health department has also recorded a dip in dengue cases nationwide. It said that, based on data as of February 23, 2024, the Department of Health recorded an 11 percent reduction in dengue cases nationwide from January 14 to 27, 2024, with 7,434 cases, compared to the 8,368 cases recorded in January 1 to 13, 2024. "There is a further decrease in the subsequent period from January 28 to February 10, 2024, where only 5,267 cases were recorded. It is important to note that these figures may be subject to change due to potential delayed consultations and reporting," it added. However, cases in Region 10 and Caraga increased "in the recent 3-4 weeks (January 14 to 27) compared to 2 weeks prior (January 1 to 13), reporting 1,384 and 715 new cases in the recent 4 weeks, respectively," according to DOH.
Case fatality rate is at 0.32 percent in 2024, with 67 deaths reported from Jan. 1 to Feb. 10, 2024. The Health department said it continues to monitor the situation to implement necessary interventions, as it called on the public to practice the "5S" strategy against dengue, as follows:
• Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites;
• Use Self-protection measures;
• Seek early consultation;
• Say yes to fogging where needed; and
• Start and sustain hydration.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Philippines is the country in the Western Pacific Region that is most affected by dengue. Dengue is endemic in the Philippines, which, according to the world body, is the reason for “longer seasonal epidemics with increasing magnitude and geographic spread.”
Globally, the number of dengue infections has seen an increase over the past few decades, which has posed a substantial challenge to public health.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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