The Philippines logged 92,343 dengue cases from January 1 to July 23, 2022—a 118 percent increase compared to the cases recorded during the same period last year, the Department of Health said Monday.
The DOH’s National Dengue Data for the week showed there were 42,294 dengue cases recorded from January 1 to July 23 last year.
Cumulatively, most of the dengue cases this year, or 17 percent, were reported in Central Luzon with 15,951 cases.
It was followed by Central Visayas with 9,429 (10 percent) and the National Capital Region (NCR) with 7,962 (9 percent).
In Quezon City alone, a total of 1,280 cases of dengue have been recorded for the past seven months, the City’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) said on Monday.
Compared to the same period last year, the CESU said cases rose by 129.80 percent.
Quezon City likewise recorded seven deaths due to dengue.
“We are seeing a rise in cases in our city, not just of COVID-19 but also of dengue so we are encouraging our residents to get tested so they can seek consultation and start treatment early,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte.
“Prevention is better than cure. We cannot address this alone, and we highly encourage our residents to take part in helping the community, in their own way, to prevent the rising cases of dengue. Let us help our community so you can also protect your own family,” she added.
The Health Department has urged early detection and consultation in case people experience fever that lasts up to three days.
The DOH said the change in body temperature between three to six days of infection marks the transition of the disease from mild to more serious.
Symptoms of dengue include sudden onset of fever for two to seven days with any two of the following: headache, body weakness, joint and muscle pains, pain behind the eyes, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rashes.
Dr. Esperanza Arias, QC Health Department officer-in-charge, advised residents who experience a sudden onset of fever to seek consultation.