Dengue cases 33% higher, deaths lower

In a news release, the DOH said there were 97,211 cases recorded for the same period last year. (Pixabay photo)

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported 128,834 dengue cases as of July 27, a 33 percent increase from the same period in 2023.

In a news release, the DOH said there were 97,211 cases recorded for the same period last year.

However, dengue deaths recorded this year at 337 is lower compared to last year’s 378 for the same time period.

“The lower number of deaths this year despite the higher number of cases is an indication of people seeking early consultation, and hospitals doing better case management,” the DOH said.

The DOH said dengue cases are still on an uptrend, showing an increase from 12,153 cases recorded from June 16 to 29, to 18,349 cases from June 30 to July 13.

The regions which showed continuous rise in cases in the past six weeks are Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Cagayan Valley, and Calabarzon.

Meanwhile, two weeks after super typhoon Carina and an enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat), the DOH recorded only 67 cases of leptospirosis from July 14 to 27.

The DOH said there are most likely delayed reports.

The incubation period of leptospirosis may range from two to 30 days, usually showing symptoms around one to two weeks after exposure to floodwaters, it said.

From Jan. 1 to July 27, 1,444 cases with 162 deaths have been recorded or 42 percent lower compared to the 2,505 cases in the same period last year.

The DOH reminded the public to avoid floodwaters and to take available antibiotic prophylaxis by prescription after walking in floodwaters.

The price freeze for doxycycline, antibiotic prophylaxis for leptospirosis, remains until Sept. 23, it said.