Dengue cases up in 6 regions

MANILA, Philippines — Dengue cases have increased in six regions in the past several weeks, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

These are in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Central Luzon, Caraga and Metro Manila, Dr. Kim Patrick Tejano of the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau said.

Tejano said dengue cases in Cagayan Valley have increased since last month. The five other regions recorded a surge in cases this month.

As of Sept. 9, the DOH said it has recorded 125,975 dengue cases nationwide.

The DOH said dengue is endemic in the Philippines, with cases having various peaks. Cases usually increase during the rainy season or from June to November.

Tejano said dengue cases worldwide have risen tenfold since 2000. An estimated 3.9 billion people worldwide are at risk for the mosquito-borne infection, he said.

He said the DOH is open to procure new technologies approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to control the spread of dengue in the country.

However, Tejano said the FDA has not approved any new vaccine or other technology to fight dengue.

He said the DOH is awaiting a recommendation from the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) on the new technology.

Tejano said the government cannot invest in new technology with no FDA registration and recommendation from HTAC.