P O L Y T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P

H I L I P P I N E S

Dengue Cases Strains PH, 2019

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An Article presented to
Professor Alexander Parulan

In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements of the subject in

Technical Writing

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Alastre, Kristine Camille D.

BSE 2-0

August 2019

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The Philippines have been alarmed once again in crucial reports considering the

frequent warnings in the emergence of dengue fever. Due to widespread dengue breakout

throughout the country with local variations in risk influence by rainfall and temperature,

this case partly explains the number of cases reported recently.

Philippines Dengue Cases Snapshot (January-June 2019). With over 100,000

dengue cases reported by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippines is facing a surge

in dengue cases with an 85% increase and with more than 450 death cases last year

according to OCHA magazine. It is said that WHO is supporting DOH with epidemiological

analysis and rapid risk assessment, preparing targeted risk communication messages for

health workers and communities to ensure early detection. Reported that in 2019, FDA

announced that it permanently revoked the licensed to distribute Dengvaxia in the

Philippines. From 106,630 reported cases, 47% deaths from males and 53% deaths from

female and the most affected age group are 5-9 years old. It is also stated by the

government and partners’ major responses and interventions about the outbreak.

Everybody is advised to conduct risk assessment and analysis by barangay basis

following National Health Cluster Coordination. Reactivation of dengue fast lanes in health

facilities. Clean-up efforts and vector controls. Strengthen information and education

campaign following community-level capacity building. OCHA Philippines.

Department of Health. (July 15, 2019) Duque declares National Dengue Alert in

Selected Regions. Due to rapidly increasing number of cases observed in several regions,

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque declares National Dengue Alert.

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According to DOH, most cases are from Western Visayas (13, 164),

CALABARZON (11, 474), Central Visayas (9,199), SOCCKSARGEN (9,107) and

Northern Mindanao (8,739). DOH advices the same method of most effective way to

prevent dengue: The 4S. Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, Self-protective

measures like wearing long sleeves and use of insect repellent, Seek early consultation

on the first signs and symptoms of the disease, and Say yes to confusing if there is an

coming outbreaks. Still, it is the most effective way to prevent dengue.

Giron, A. (2019, July 30) Cavite moves to combat province-wide dengue outbreak:

It is said from the local council called special session, regarding dengue, as main agenda.

Cavite is reported to be the highest number of cases of dengue in region IV-A

(CALABARZON) area. Councilor Adrian Jay C. Advincula, Chairman of the City Council

Committee on Education and Culture and Health and Sanitation in Imus, led the meeting

with City Environment and Natural Resources (CENTRO), Disaster Risk Reduction

Management and other concerned offices about the situation and actions in the area.

Imus reportedly one death and 348 cases since January 1 this year. It is also said that the

provincial government and the health authorities are doing everything to address the

dengue problem in the province. Manila Bulletin.

Ellis-Peterson, E. (August 7, 2019). Philippines declares epidemic after dengue

fever kills more than 600. The government banned a widely blamed vaccine for causing

the deaths of children case up 98%. In the wake of government ban on the vaccine,
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Philippines have been declared a national epidemic after causing hundreds of deaths this

year. Recorded, 146, 062 cases of dengue from January through 20 of July this year, said

by the department of health. The outbreak has already claimed the lives of 622 people

and children below the age of 10 are the group worst affected. A mosquito-borne viral

infection found in tropical countries worldwide, can lead to hemorrhaging and organ failure

in severe cases and no specific treatment for the illness. A dengue vaccine made by

French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur, in February, Dengvaxia vaccine received a

nationwide ban on sale and distribution. It has been the heart of scandal in the Philippines

in late 2017 and 2018 when it was given as part of nationwide immunization programmed

and put some children at higher risk instead.

The government suspended all dengue vaccination programs last year and set up

an investigation into Dengvaxia. However, nationwide panic and widespread mistrust of

vaccinations caused by the scandal led immunization rates for dengue. The Department

of Health said that there was a campaign to focus on finding and destroying mosquito

breeding sites, while also issuing guidelines for people to wear insect repellant and wear

clothes that cover the skin to fight dengue outbreak. The Guardian.

Ching, NL (August 07, 2019). FAQ on dengue: Are dengue outbreaks getting more

severe? Will things get worse? Lower immunity among people comes on the back of rising

Aedes mosquito population, the current dengue outbreak. Transmitted through

interactions between humans, vector mosquitoes and dengue viruses are called dengue.

It’s rise and fall is thus driven by many factors that influence contact between a mosquito

vector and an infected susceptible person. An outbreak can be driven by a decrease in

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the immunity of a human population and an increase in the mosquito vector population

and epidemic potential of the virus. There are four serotypes of the dengue virus and

outbreaks in the last 15 years. This happened in the outbreaks in 2005, 2007, and 2013.

A victim of one serotype remains susceptible to the other three serotypes. Thus, result in

a significant proportion of people becoming immune, lowering the rate of an outbreak in a

community.

In the past few months, a very warm weather has further helped both the

mosquitoes and the virus inside them to multiply faster led to increasing chance of virus

spread. The three factors-high vector population, high temperature and low immunity in

the human population- are most likely contributors to the ongoing dengue outbreak.

Keeping out Aedes mosquitoes relies on good environmental management through

refraining from littering and practicing good housekeeping and maintenance habits, and

the role of every individual can be emphasized. The Straits Times.

Since the beginning of 2019, the Philippines has seen an extreme increase in the

number of dengue cases. According to the latest data and following the sharp flow, DOH

declared a national dengue alert on July 15, 2019 in an effort to step up its surveillance

and response to the outbreak. Importantly, specific guidelines observed in the community

proven to be effective needs to be addressed.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.doh.gov.ph/press-release/Duque-declares-national-dengue-alert-in-

selected-regions

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/30cavite-moves-to-combat-province-wide-dengue-

outbreak/

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-dengue-cases-snspshot-january-

june-2019

https://www.theguardian.com/profile/hannah-ellies-petersen

https://www.straittimes.com/opinion/faq-on-dengue-are-dengue-outbreaks-getting-

more-severe-will-things-gets-worse