Health chiefs warn that mosquito-borne diseases now at peak season

mosquito-borne diseases

The Department of Health has advised the public that mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya are at peak season.

ADVERTISEMENT

In a radio interview today (Monday, August 6), Health Undersecretary Rolando Domingo said clustered cases of dengue and chikungunya started in Cavite and elsewhere last month.

“There had been clustering of cases also in Ilocos, Batanes, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan so we’re reminding our countrymen that it is already dengue season,” he said.

When asked if dengue is difficult to prevent due to climate change, Domingo said it could be prevented despite climate change because it was carried by mosquitoes.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It comes from mosquitoes and mosquitoes, they like fresh, clean water. After the rain, all stored water must be cleaned, thrown away so that mosquitoes will not multiply,” he said.

In the case of outbreaks or clustering, Domingo suggested that citizens in the affected areas immediately report to authorities such cases so that fogging can be done to eliminate the spread of mosquitoes.

Domingo said the mortality rate of dengue remains the same — less than one-and-a-half per cent — but DOH does not want anyone to contract the disease.

ADVERTISEMENT

He added there had been no recorded fatalities with regard to chikungunya as all patients manage to recover.

The latest data from DOH showed about 590 dengue cases were reported to the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response from July 8 to 14 this year, which is 82 per cent lower than the reported cases during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the total number of reported dengue cases nationwide from January 1 to July 14 this year is 58,101, which is higher by 827 cases compared to the same period last year.

The five regions with the highest reported cases are Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao and the National Capital Region.

Domingo reminded the public to go a health centre if they experience high fever, severe headache and body aches and pains so they can be examined immediately.

If consecutive three days, have a consultation right away to prevent reaching severe level like bruises, nose bleeding, that’s difficult to cure,” he said.

Domingo added that reported cases of leptospirosis had also increased due to flooding last week.

The latest data from the DOH showed some 59 reported cases of leptospirosis from the period of July 8 to 14 this year, which is 55 per cent higher compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the total of reported leptospirosis cases nationwide from January 1 to July 14 this year is 1,761 while there were only 906 reported cases for the same period last year. 

Follow our Facebook page for daily news updates