DoH: Flu-like illnesses, dengue cases rise
Despite the increase in infections, the overall case fatality rate for ILI remained low and stable.
Cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) increased by 17 percent over a two-week period in October, prompting health officials to urge the public to follow preventive health measures, the Department of Health (DoH) reported Tuesday.
In its latest epidemiological report, the DoH recorded 15,212 ILI cases from 4 to 17 October, up from the 12,929 cases logged between 20 September and 3 October.
Despite the increase in infections, the overall case fatality rate for ILI remained low and stable at 0.06 percent, the agency noted.
Western Visayas, MIMAROPA and Central Visayas recorded the highest proportions of ILI cases nationwide.
Additionally, health authorities identified localized surges across 13 provinces and highly urbanized cities, primarily concentrated in Metro Manila.
“The DoH reminds the public to practice preventive behaviors such as covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, staying at home when experiencing flu-like symptoms to avoid spreading the illness and ensuring proper ventilation in indoor spaces,” the agency said in an advisory.
Alongside the rise in flu-like illnesses, the DoH observed a slight uptick in dengue cases, recording 23,831 cases from 4 to 17 October — a 4 percent increase from the 23,008 cases reported in the preceding two-week window.
Meantime, leptospirosis cases dropped significantly across the country. The DoH reported 506 leptospirosis cases from 4 to 17 October, marking a 46 percent decline from the 940 cases recorded from 20 September to 3 October.