Philippines dengue update: Plateau in the epidemic curve observed, public advised against complacency
The Philippines Department of Health is reporting a plateau in the epidemic curve of dengue cases in the country recently.
While in mid-April, a slight increase in cases was reported (3 percent), the numbers decreased during the last two weeks of May.
However, officials warn the public not to be complacent as the onset of rainy season has begun and more water can serve as mosquito breeding grounds.
From January1 to May 25 this year, 67,874 total dengue cases have been reported in the country, including 189 deaths.
Health Secretary, Teodoro Herbosa said, “The solution is simple but needs community effort to do: kill mosquitoes so the dengue they bring will not kill you.
“The rains may have started but we can still search and destroy mosquito breeding sites- wherever water can accumulate and stay still”.
The DOH also advises on the self protection measures like covering the skin, the use of mosquito repellent and fogging where needed.
Dengue infection is acquired through the bite of certain species of mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti, but also Aedes albopictus.
There are four closely related but antigenically different serotypes of the virus that can cause dengue (DEN1, DEN 2, DEN 3, DEN 4).
Dengue Fever (DF) – marked by an onset of sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and pain in muscles and joints. Some may also have a rash and varying degree of bleeding from various parts of the body (including nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising).Dengue has a wide spectrum of infection outcome (asymptomatic to symptomatic). Symptomatic illness can vary from dengue fever (DF) to the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
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Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) – is a more severe form, seen only in a small proportion of those infected. DHF is a stereotypic illness characterized by 3 phases; febrile phase with high continuous fever usually lasting for less than 7 days; critical phase (plasma leaking) lasting 1-2 days usually apparent when fever comes down, leading to shock if not detected and treated early; convalescence phase lasting 2-5 days with improvement of appetite, bradycardia (slow heart rate), convalescent rash (white patches in red background), often accompanied by generalized itching (more intense in palms and soles), and diuresis (increase urine output).
Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) — Shock syndrome is a dangerous complication of dengue infection and is associated with high mortality. Severe dengue occurs as a result of secondary infection with a different virus serotype. Increased vascular permeability, together with myocardial dysfunction and dehydration, contribute to the development of shock, with resultant multiorgan failure.
“Dengue is seasonal. We may have low case counts now, but if we relax, they will go up more than we want”, Secretary Herbosa said.