Philippines: Eastern Visayas reports dramatic increase in dengue in 2024
The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) has reported a significant increase in dengue fever cases during the first 11 months of 2024, according to the latest data.
Officials report 14,998 dengue cases, including 28 deaths through the third week of November.
This is a 279 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 when 3,953 cases and 9 deaths were recorded.
Among the provinces in the region, Leyte has seen the most cases with 4,678. followed by Samar with 3,743; Southern Leyte with 2,661; Eastern Samar with 1,017; Northern Samar with 931; Biliran with 289; Ormoc City with 983; and Tacloban City with 696.
Seven out of 10 cases required hospitalization for their illness, mostly children.
DOH-Eastern Visayas information officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago said, "With this situation, we are calling on the public and all local government units to continue implementing measures to prevent rising cases and deaths due to dengue.”
Officials remind the public to carry out dengue prevention through the "5S" strategy, especially since the rainy season has started.
The 5S includes search and destroy, self-protection measures, seeking early consultation, saying yes to fogging, and starting and sustaining hydration.
Dengue is a disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. The disease can take up to 2 weeks to develop with illness generally lasting less than a week.
Symptoms from dengue in clude fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle and joint pain, and minor bleeding.
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Dengue can become severe within a few hours. Severe dengue is a medical emergency, usually requiring hospitalization.
In severe cases, health effects can include hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), shock (seriously low blood pressure), organ failure, and death.
Nationally, the Philippines has reported 340,860 cases across the country, or 81 percent higher than the 188,574 cases logged for the same period in 2023.
881 deaths have been recorded nationwide.