Philippines report 73% increase in dengue in first 2 months of the year

In a follow-up on the dengue fever situation in the Philippines, the country’s Department of Health now reports a total of 62,313 dengue cases during the first two months of 2025.

This is a 73 precent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Image/CDC

Of the 17 regions in the country, Calabarzon (Region IV‑A) tops all with 12,735 cases, followed by National Capital Region (NCR), which includes Manila with 11,291; and Central Luzon (Region III) with 10,185.

While the raw case count is higher this year to date, the case fatality rate is lower- 0.35 percent today compared to 0.42 percent in 2024.

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.