Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is set to declare a dengue outbreak due to high cases of the mosquito-borne illness.
“Based on my conversation with our Epidemiology Bureau director, outbreak levels na ang ating dengue,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa told reporters on Monday, Aug. 19.
“Magde-declare din ako ng dengue outbreak,” Herbosa added.
[Translation: Based on my conversation with our Epidemiology Bureau director, our cases for dengue are at outbreak levels. I will also declare a dengue outbreak.]
As of Aug. 3, the DOH said it observed an increase in dengue infections in 15 out of 17 regions. The Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were not mentioned in the list.
Ormoc City in Leyte has declared a state of calamity due to a dengue outbreak while the Iloilo province is poised to follow suit.
The country recorded a total of 136,151 dengue cases as of Aug. 3 this year. DOH said this was 33% higher than the 102,374 cases logged in the same period last year.
The Health Department said there were 364 deaths this year, fewer than last year’s 401.
It advised local authorities and the public to continue searching and destroying mosquito breeding grounds, implementing self-protection measures, seeking early consultation, and supporting fogging or spraying in outbreak spots.
