Dengue fever cases have increased by 23% in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health.
In 2019, a National Dengue Epidemic was declared by the DOH after a redord-high 146,000 cases and over 600 deaths.
Given the consistent rise of the mosquito-borne disease in the country, 180 dengue-related deaths have already been reported from January to May.
According to the report, a total of 34,938 cases were reported, this is 23% higher from the 28,336 cases recorded in the same period in 2021.
A total of 10,738 cases were recorded in a span of one month as observed from the data that were logged from April 24 to May 21 this year.
Among the most affected regions showing continuous increase in dengue cases are: CAR, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western and Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, and BARMM.
Moreover, the DOH also reported that there is a 169% increase in cases of chikungunya, another mosquito related viral disease.
Furthermore, dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that mostly affects children and infants which can be contracted through a bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.
To reduce mosquito breeding sites in the neighbourhood, residents were encouraged to maintain a clean and dry environment free of any stagnant water.