Eastern Visayas logs rising dengue cases

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas on Tuesday announced that the region has already reported higher dengue fever cases in the first three weeks of 2023 and warned that frequent heavy rains in the region will trigger more cases in succeeding weeks.

The agency disclosed that during the first three weeks of the year, the region has already recorded 210 dengue cases, which is 19 percent higher than the 176 cases during the same period in 2022.

It added that among the cases, 190 or about 90 percent of patients suffered severe cases and were hospitalized.

The Health department also warned that the increasing trend may continue with the unceasing torrential rains that affect the Eastern Visayas region caused by the low-pressure area, northeast monsoon, and shear line during the first three weeks of 2023.

In 2022, Eastern Visayas posted a total of 6,794 dengue cases with 20 deaths. This is a substantial 774 percent increase from the 877 cases tallied in 2021 with zero death.

With the high dengue cases since last year, the DoH urged the public and local government units to observe measures to mitigate the surge in dengue cases and deaths this year.

Among these is to check containers or water deposits for the presence of the Aedes mosquito larvae and pupae.

The DoH also calls for the activation of the dengue brigade in villages and organize a weekly simultaneous search and destroy activity to reduce the risk of dengue transmission and increase awareness.

Those with dengue warning signs such as abdominal pain, bleeding, frequent vomiting, lethargy or restlessness are asked to seek early consultation.

Local governments are urged to provide policy support as well as financial support through the disaster risk reduction and management plan for health, among others.