MANILA, Philippines – The number of reported dengue cases in the Philippines climbs to 78,808, based on the latest report from the Department of Health (DOH) covering the period of January 1 to September 5.
This is a jump of more than 23,000 cases from the last DOH report in September, which showed there were 55,079 suspected cases during the period of January 1 to August 8.
The latest figure of 78,808 is 16.5% higher than the 67,637 reported cases from January 1 to September 5, 2014.
Despite the higher number of cases, DOH recorded 233 deaths from January to September – lower than 2014's 297 deaths.
REGION | DENGUE CASES | |
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| I | 6,501 | 3,676 |
| II | 5,618 | 1,781 |
| III | 11,806 | 5,505 |
| IV-A | 11,894 | 6,074 |
| IV-B | 1,346 | 1,646 |
| V | 868 | 993 |
| VI | 3,756 | 5,718 |
| VII | 3,326 | 3,481 |
| VIII | 737 | 4,508 |
| IX | 3,981 | 4,743 |
| X | 5,795 | 6,298 |
| XI | 2,619 | 5,849 |
| XII | 5,109 | 5,302 |
| ARMM | 1,196 | 933 |
| CAR | 3,649 | 1,448 |
| CARAGA | 2,508 | 6,046 |
| NCR | 8,099 | 3,636 |
| TOTAL | 78,808 | 67,637 |
Source: DOH Epidemiology Bureau
Most of the cases come from Calabarzon (15.1%), Central Luzon (15%), National Capital Region (10.3%), Ilocos Region (8.2%), and Northern Mindanao (7.4%).
Dengue, a disease common in tropical and sub-tropical countries in the world, is transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito. Dengue fever is potentially fatal and mainly affects children. (READ: What are the common rainy season diseases?)
The Philippines is one of 4 countries in the Western Pacific which reported the highest dengue incidence in recent years. (READ: PH spends less than P1B to fight neglected tropical diseases)
The country is pinning its hopes on a dengue vaccine tested here and in 4 other Asian countries after it showed promising overall efficacy. The health department hopes the vaccine will be registered soon so it can be given at least on a pilot basis by 2016. – Rappler.com