TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health in the region reported that dengue fever cases continue to rise in Eastern Visayas with 15 deaths and 5,616 patients downed by infected mosquito bites from 1 January to 22 November this year.

The number of cases this year is 682 percent higher compared to the same period in 2021 with 718 cases. No fatality was recorded due to dengue fever in the region last year.

DoH regional information officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago said deaths were reported in Ormoc City and Jaro in Leyte province; Taft and Hernani in Eastern Samar; and Maasin City, Liloan, Padre Burgos, Saint Bernard and San Juan in Southern Leyte.