DOH records over 26K dengue cases in first 3 months of 2018

The number of dengue deaths was also lower this year with only a total of 136 compared to the same period last year wherein a total of 180 dengue deaths were recorded. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded over 26,000 dengue cases nationwide in the first three months of 2018 but it was a decline compared to the same period last year.

Based on the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau Public Health Surveillance Division Dengue Report No. 3, 26,042 dengue cases were monitored from January 1 to March 31.

“This is 17 percent lower compared to the same period last year (31,358),” the DOH report said.

The regions with the highest number of cases are Calabarzon (Region 4-A) with 4,902; National Capital Region (4,874); Central Luzon (4,482); Northern Mindanao (1,533); Central Visayas (1,487); and Western Visayas (1,482).

The number of dengue deaths was also lower this year with only a total of 136 compared to the same period last year wherein a total of 180 dengue deaths were recorded.

Calabarzon has the most number of deaths with a total of 29; followed by Metro Manila with 17; Western Visayas with 14; Northern Mindanao with 13; and Central Visayas and Central Luzon with 11 each.

Majority of the dengue cases occurred among the 10-14 years old age group with 6,498 cases comprising 25 percent.

More than half of the reported cases occurred among males totaling 13,951 cases.