Manila 30 August : The Philippines’ Department of Health reported on Tuesday that the number of dengue fever-related deaths have risen up to 400 in the past year, as cases increased by 143 percent from the same time last year.The Department has counted 118,785 cases between January 1 and August 13, according to Xinhua news agency.
Data revealed that the Central Luzon region recorded the highestnumber of cases, with more than 21,000 cases.It was being followed by Central Visayas and Metro Manila with more than 11,000 each.
Six of the 17 regions of the country “have reached the threshold for epidemic” in the past four weeks, from July 17 to August 13 with Metro Manila “showing a continuous increase”.
Dengue is a scourge in the Philippines.
Dengue is one of the most common water-borne illnesses typically peak around the beginning of the season of rain, which runs from July to October because of unpredictable conditions of the weather, floods, and the accumulation of contamination of water.
Dengue mosquitoes reproduce in stagnant water such as water-filled containers as well as certain plants like bananas.
In extreme instances, dengue may cause joint nausea, pain vomiting, rashes, breathing problems, haemorrhaging , and organ failure.
The Philippines had declared an “national dengue epidemic” in August 2019.
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