Dengue cases rising in Zamboanga 3 regions

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from Zamboanga City, an increase in dengue cases has been observed in some provinces in Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas and Davao, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

“We are seeing a rise in cases also in Regions 2, 6 and 11.  But it is in Zamboanga City where cases have surpassed the epidemic threshold. That’s why the local government unit there declared an outbreak,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a press briefing yesterday.

Dengue cases in Zamboanga rose to nearly 900, with 11 deaths, from January to April 2.

Vergeire said the weekly reported cases of dengue this year are “significantly lower” compared to last year.

She said the increase in cases could be blamed on rains being experienced in the country in the past several days.

Dengue is a disease spread by the bites of infected female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that breed in clean but stagnant water, which is usually abundant during rainy days.

Vergeire said the DOH has activated dengue fast lanes in hospitals to ensure that patients are immediately given medical attention.

She stressed the need to control the spread of dengue, saying patients could “compete” for hospital beds with those who contracted COVID.

The DOH advised the public to get rid of materials such as empty cans, used tires and plant boxes where water can build up and serve as breeding ground for mosquitoes.

In August 2019, the DOH declared a national dengue epidemic after the number of cases from January to July reached around 150,000 with 622 deaths.