Philippines: Northern Mindanao reports increases in dengue, chikungunya and measles
Officials with the Department of Health (DOH)-10 in Cagayan de Oro report increases in the infectious diseases—dengue, chikungunya and measles—during the first quarter of 2024.
This has prompted health authorities to urge local government units (LGUs) to ramp up the surveillance of the three diseases.
Dengue
The region has seen a 34 percent increase in dengue cases, from 3,032 during the first three months of 2023 to 4,071 this year.
The disease surveillance data showed that Bukidnon has the most dengue cases in Northern Mindanao, with 1,121 cases (959 admissions with 153 confirmed cases); Misamis Oriental has 845 cases (591 admissions, 79 confirmed); Lanao del Norte reported 574 cases (450 admissions, 115 confirmed); Iligan City reported 319 cases (310 admissions, 114 confirmed); Cagayan de Oro City reported 222 cases (207 admissions, 6 confirmed); and Camiguin reported 89 cases (81 admitted and 47 confirmed).
Bukidnon reported the most dengue-related deaths (19), followed by Misamis Occidental (4), Misamis Oriental (3), Lanao del Norte (4), Iligan City (1), Cagayan de Oro City (2), and Camiguin (1).
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Chikungunya
Chikungunya cases in Northern Mindanao has risen 1,171 percent in the first months of 2024— from 7 to 89 cases.
Misamis Oriental leads the list with 50 cases, followed by Misamis Occidental (18), Bukidnon (12), Camiguin (4), Iligan City (4), and Cagayan de Oro City (1).
Measles
The vaccine-preventable disease, measles has also seen an increase in 2024 to date. Measles cases surged by 94 percent in 2024 with 103 cases, compared to the 53 cases reported during the same period in 2023.
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The 103 cases reported to date are in children aged 1 to 5.
Lanao del Norte has 58 cases (54 hospitalized), followed by Misamis Oriental (14 cases, 11 hospitalized), Cagayan de Oro City (8 cases, 3 hospitalized), Bukidnon (8 cases), Iligan City (7 cases, 5 hospitalized), Misamis Occidental (6 cases, 3 hospitalized), and Camiguin (2 cases, 1 hospitalized).
"The sudden rise in measles cases can be attributed to children's failure to receive vaccinations," according to DOH-10 nurse Iris Christine Torralba.
The health department assures the public they are addressing the situation, collaborating with LGUs to intensify measles case monitoring and urging parents to vaccinate children aged 0-59 months against measles and other diseases.