Eastern Visayas sees increased dengue cases

PALO, Leyte — Dengue cases in Eastern Visayas continue to rise with two deaths recorded over the past two weeks, prompting the Department of Health regional office to raise the alarm anew and remind the public of the standard health practices to avoid the illness.

Latest data released on Monday by the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the DoH regional office showed that a total of 6,089 cases have already been recorded since January which is almost 10 times higher than the 775 cases recorded over the same period in 2021.

Among provinces, Leyte recorded the highest number of cases in Eastern Visayas with 2,595; Southern Leyte with 1,454; Samar with 625; Eastern Samar with 575; Biliran with 548; and Northern Samar with 300 cases.

The DoH-8 also recorded 17 deaths since January — five of them from Maasin City in Southern Leyte — over the same period as compared to zero fatalities last year due to the said illness.

Southern Leyte accounts for the greatest number of fatalities with a total of 9 deaths, three in Leyte, three in Eastern Samar, and two in Samar.

"The DoH continues to urge the public to be prime movers in the prevention of Dengue," says regional information officer Jelyn Lopez.

The DoH is advocating for a "4S" which stands for search and destroy mosquito breeding places; seek early consultation from health experts; Secure self-protection; and Support fogging/spraying.