Dengue cases slightly up but still manageable, says DOH

The number of dengue cases in the Philippines has slightly risen in recent weeks, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

However, the DOH assured that dengue cases in the country are still manageable, "especially if vector control is intensified."

From 11 to 24 May, 6,270 dengue cases in the country were logged, a six percent increase from 27 April to 10 May figures of 6,192.

Despite the recorded cases, the case fatality rate of dengue remains low at 0.4 percent. This means that four out of 1,000 patients die from the mosquito-borne disease.

Meanwhile, from January to June, 123,291 Filipinos have contracted dengue.

The largest number of patients was between the ages of five and nine, reaching 27,358.

"We need to continue what we have started in dengue prevention. We need to do Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip from houses to barangays and even schools because mosquitoes move from place to place," DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

"We often see an increase in dengue cases when it rains. We have to prevent this by intensifying vector control," Herbosa added.

Along with vector control, the DOH is also intensifying proper education on the prevention of dengue and other diseases in collaboration with the Department of Education.