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NATION

Dengue cases continue to drop —DOH

Gabriela Baron

The number of dengue cases continues to drop nationwide, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

From 16 to 29 March, the DOH logged 9,289 new dengue cases — 23 percent lower than the 12,050 cases recorded from 2 to 15 March.

Meanwhile, the case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 0.36 percent, or almost four out of every 1,000 dengue cases result in death.

The DOH attributed the decline to its effective implementation of vector control in communities.

It further attributed the low CFR to earlier consultation by patients, based on the agency's health education program on symptoms to watch out for.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa assured the public that DOH hospitals provide prompt medical attention to prevent more serious dengue complications through its "dengue fast lanes" in several hospitals nationwide.

Herbosa also reminded the public that dengue prevention "starts in their backyard."

"Let's continue the work we have started to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds because without mosquitoes, there is no dengue," the Health chief said in Filipino.

"Let's not let go of the discipline of cleaning and prepare early for the rainy season around July or August, where there can be more mosquito breeding grounds due to accumulated water," he added.

There were a total of 95,262 recorded dengue cases in the country from January to April. This is 75 percent higher compared to the 54,556 logged in 2024.