DOH declares national dengue alert the health department's goal to bring the
numbers down to less than 0.2%, it urged the
(UPDATED) The Department of Health
reports a total of 106,630 dengue cases from
January to June 2019
Janella Paris
Published 1:59 PM, July 15, 2019
NATIONAL DENGUE ALERT. The total
number of dengue cases in the Philippines stands
at 106,630 from January to June 2019.
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The
Department of Health (DOH) declared a
National Dengue Alert on Monday, July 15, as
dengue cases continued to rise in several regions
in the country.
The health department said that the following
regions had exceeded the epidemic threshold:
Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas,
and Northern Mindanao.
The following regions, meanwhile, have
exceeded the alert threshold: Ilocos Region,
Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern
Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao,
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao, and Cordillera Administrative
Region.
The epidemic threshold is the the critical number
of cases required for an epidemic to be declared.
The alert threshold, meanwhile, is the number of
cases that sounds an early warning for a
potential epidemic.
In the Philippines, the epidemic and alert
thresholds for dengue vary from region to
region, as computations take into account
localised incidences of the disease within the last
3 to 5 years.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said
106,630 dengue cases had been reported from
January 1 to June 29, 2019 – 85% more than the
57,564 cases reported from the same period in
2018.
Early detection, 4S strategy important
Duque emphasized that early detection is crucial
in order to prevent deaths resulting from dengue.
With 456 deaths as a result of dengue this year,
the fatality ratio remains low at 0.4%. But with
public to observe the 4S strategy, which they say
is the most effective way to prevent dengue. The
strategy consists of the following:
 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
 Say yes to fogging if there is an
impending outbreak
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection,
contracted through a bite of Aedes aegypti and
Aedes albopictus mosquitoes carrying the
dengue virus.
These mosquitoes can lay eggs in spaces or
containers that hold stagnant water – bottle caps,
dish dryers, gutters, trash cans, old rubber tires.
Even plant axils with stagnant water can be nests
for dengue-infected mosquitoes. Symptoms of
dengue include sudden onset of fever for 2 to 7
days, along with two of the following: headache,
body weakness, joint and muscle pains, pain
behind the eyes, loss of appetite, vomiting,
diarrhea, and rashes.
Health care providers and family members
should also be on the lookout for patients whose
fever comes back after dropping by at least 1°C
or to almost normal between 3 and 6 days.
Abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent
vomiting, edema (swelling), lack of energy, and
bleeding in the mouth or nose should also serve
as warning signs.
Duque explained that dengue cases have been
observed to peak every 3-4 years. The last
peak occurred in 2016. Given the pattern, the
health department expects an increase in cases
this year.
This rise in dengue cases comes as the health
department continues to monitor the
ongoing measles outbreak.
The DOH earlier said that it would only lift the
declaration of the measles outbreak once it
reaches its vaccination target of 95% or some 13
million people immunized. As of July 3, only
11% has been reached.
 Dengue death toll rises to 491 in July
From January 1 to July 6, the Department of
Health records a total of 115,986 dengue cases
nationwide
Duque explained that dengue cases had been
observed to peak every 3 to 4 years, with the last
peak occurring in 2016. Given the pattern, the
health department expects an increase in cases
this year.

Rappler.com This rise in dengue cases comes as the health

Published 3:13 PM, July 20, 2019 department continues to monitor the
ongoing measles outbreak.
Updated 3:13 PM, July 20, 2019
DENGUE. Nationwide figures for dengue cases
in 2019 spikes to 22% higher than last year's
numbers. Shutterstock photo

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 491 people

have died due to dengue this year as of July 6,
according to the latest figures released by the
Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, July
20.

This is higher than the 336 deaths recorded

during the same period last year. Earlier this
week, the DOH recorded 456 deaths for the
period covering January 1 to June 30, 2019.

Based on the DOH monitoring from June 30 to

July 6, there were 5,744 more cases nationwide,
or a 22% spike from last year's 4,703. This
figure brings the total number of cases to
115,986 across the country since January 1.

According to DOH figures, Western Visayas

recorded the most cases at 15,826, followed by
Calabarzon with 12,780 cases.

Soccsksargen ranked 3rd with 9,572 cases,

followed by Northern Mindanao with 9354, and
Central Visayas with 9,259.

Metro Manila, recorded 7,768 cases as of July 6,

lower than last year's 8,603 cases.

According to the DOH, the most affected age

group is the 5-to-9 age bracket which accounts
for 23% of the total cases, followed by the 10-
to-14 age bracket (19%.)

The number of male dengue patients during the

period outnumbered female patients at 52% and
48%, respectively.

Earlier this week, Health Secretary Francisco

Duque III declared a national dengue alert as
cases continued to rise in several regions in the
country.
 27 dead in Cavite as number of dengue cases Dengue victims ranged in age from one month
doubles to 92 years. More than half of them – 53% –
were male.
From January 1, 2019 to August 5, 2019, the
Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit
The highest number of dengue cases were
records 6,232 dengue cases, compared to 3,127
recorded in the following cities:
cases in the same period in 2018

 Dasmarinas – 1,542 cases

Rappler.com
 General Trias – 575 cases
Published 9:04 PM, August 05, 2019  Bacoor– 510 cases
Updated 9:23 PM, August 05, 2019  Imus – 507 cases
 Silang – 475

Duque urged the local governments to set up

MANILA, Philippines – The number of cases in
Cavite in the first 7 months of 2019 doubled
from the same period last year, with 27 deaths
recorded by the Provincial Epidemiology and
Surveillance Unit (PESU).
The PESU report was cited by the Department
of Health (DOH) in Calabarzon when Secretary
Francisco Duque III met with mayors of the
province on Monday, August 5, to ensure that
they are prepared to respond and support their
communities in the event of outbreaks.
"Dapat lahat ng ating mga lokal na pamahalaan
ay handa na makapagbigay ng suporta sa mga
biktima ng dengue. Lalo na ngayong patuloy na
tunataas ang mga kaso dito sa Cavite, kailangan
natin ng dobleng pag-iingat," Duque told the
local chief executives at the Cavite
Collaboration Center for Public Health in
General Trias.
hydration stations in all rural health units for
those suffering from high fever to prevent
dehydration.
"Magtulungan po tayo upang malutas natin at
mapababa ang bilang ng mga nabibiktima ng
dengue sa ating mga bayan, at mailigtas sa tiyak
na kapahamakan ang ating mga
kababayan," Duque said.
(Let’s help one another in addressing [the cases]
and lower the number of dengue victims in our
towns and cities, and to save our people from
catastrophe.)
The European Union has donated P5.7 million to
help the Philippine government combat the
rising cases of dengue.

(All local governments should be prepared to

provide support to dengue victims. Especially
these days when the number of cases in Cavite is
increasign, we need to be doubly cautious.)

The DOH declared a national dengue alert in

mid-July as reports of outbreaks and deaths
came in from various provinces and regions.
The nationwide death toll as of July 6 reached
491 out of the total of 115,986 dengue cases.

In Cavite, the provincial government on July 18

declared a state of calamity due to the rising
number of dengue cases.

From January 1, 2019 to August 5, 2019, the

PESU recorded 6,232 dengue cases, with 27
deaths. The figure a 99% increase from the
3,127 cases during the same period in 2018.
 40 dead due to dengue in Bicol
Bicol health chief Ernie Vera urges local
officials and communities to take heed of the
government's anti-dengue strategy, saying its
sustained enforcement can stem the number of
dengue cases in the country
Rhaydz Barcia
Published 3:50 PM, August 08, 2019
Updated 10:34 PM, August 08, 2019
Photo caption. DENGUE UPDATED.
Department of Health-Bicol director Ernie Vera
calls for holistic action to stem the spread of
dengue. Photo by Rhaydz B. Barcia
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Forty people in
Bicol have died due to dengue from January to
July this year, the regional health chief said.
Department of Health-Bicol director Ernie Vera
said 4,241 dengue cases were recorded for the
first 7 months of the year in he region, and that
most of those who died were children aged 4
months to 10 years old.
Vera said the spike in dengue cases in the
country could have been avoided if local
officials only strictly enforced the government's
anti-dengue strategy, with the help of local
communities.
“This year, the Philippines is experiencing
massive mosquito-borne disease because the
public and some local government units failed to
enforce and maintain cleanliness in their
respective localities despite of our plea,” Vera
said.
Vera said that as early as January, the health
department had been calling on the public and
local government units to enforce the "4S
strategy" to help stem dengue cases, especially
in view of extreme weather events due to
climate change.
The strategy includes destroying mosquito
breeding place, self-protective measures like
wearing long sleeves and use of insect
repellent, early consultation on the first signs
and symptoms of the disease, and fogging if
there is an impending outbreak.
Ako Bicol to allocate P200 million for
waterless areas in Bicol
Level 2 water systems will be put up in 24
waterless communities, many of them in Albay,
which Rappler reported had gone waterless for 7
months in 2019
The regional health chief said the actual number
of dengue cases in the Bicol could be higher, as
the 4,241 cases reported to the DOH was just
taken from the lone sentinel site in the region,
the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching
Hospital (BRTTH).
The DOH on Tuesday, August 6, declared a
national dengue epidemic as cases of the disease
went up by 98% compared to the same 7-month
period last year.
Vera said that it was just the second time that the
Philippines experienced a dengue outbreak. The
first was in 1998.
Among the 6 provinces of Bicol, Camarines Sur
had the highest number of cases with 17 deaths
and 1,706 cases in the first 7 months of the year,
followed by Albay with 10 deaths and 769 cases,
Sorsogon with 8 deaths and 784 cases,
Catanduanes with 1 death and 563 cases,
Masbate with 2 deaths and 271 cases, and
Camarines Norte, 2 deaths and 144 cases.
Bicol is one of the 7 regions in the country that
exceeded the dengue epidemic threshold for the
past 3 consecutive weeks.
‘Sustained community effort’
Vera appealed to all stakeholders for sustained
community efforts to fight dengue in homes,
workplaces, and schools.
“Our aim is to cut the cycle of mosquito borne
disease and this could be done through collective
efforts and institutionalization of anti-dengue
drive campaign of the local government units,”
he said.
He called on governors, mayors and local
councils to enact local ordinances that would
strengthen the fight against mosquito-borne
disease and related emerging infectious diseases
in Bicol.
“We enjoin all respective government agencies,
LGUs, schools private offices and entire
Bicolanos to conduct the simultaneous 4 o’clock
habit para Deng-get Out. Let us all together fight
the bite to destroy breeding sites of mosquitos,”
he said.
 Dengue cases in Northern Mindanao breach
epidemic threshold
It's in Northern Mindanao where 60 dengue
deaths have been recorded
Bobby Lagsa
Published 8:17 AM, August 07, 2019
Updated 9:29 AM, August 07, 2019
LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – Dengue
cases in Northern Mindanao have surpassed the
epidemic threshold with 15,095 incidents across
the region from January 1 to August 3,
Department of Health Region 10 Director
Adriano Suba-an said in a press briefing.
misting only in hot spot areas where increase in
cases are registered for two consecutive weeks
to prevent and impending outbreak.
In Macanhan, the city health department started
fogging operations and cleaning of clogged
waterways.
“As the lead agency, the DOH shall convene the
Health Cluster of the Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) to
intensify detection, tracking and monitoring of
cases, provide issuances and alert advisories,
ensure mobilization and augmentation of needed
logistics and provide laboratory response,”
Suba-aan added.

DOH records show that Northern Mindanao, or
Region 10, is among the regions hardest hit by
the mosquito-borne disease. Other regions
reeling from the dengue epidemic are Mimaropa
in Southern Luzon, as well as Western Visayas
and Central Visayas.
Region 10's dengue cases this year are 62.54%
higher compared to the same period last year.
There have been 60 deaths so far in the region.
According to the United States Center for
Disease Control (CDC) global risk each year, an
estimated 390 million people get afflicted with
dengue. Outbreaks have occurred in parts of
Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, the Eastern
Mediterranean, the Americas, the Caribbean,
and Africa.
It is said that 40% of the world’s population live
in areas at risk for dengue. – Rappler.com

In Cagayan de Oro City, a total of 1,557 Dengue

cases were tallied, with 8 deaths. Of the
barangays in Cagayan de Oro, Carmen was the
most devastated with 196 cases and 2 deaths.
There were 32 cases in Sitio Macanhan in
Carmen alone. Carmen is the city's biggest
village.

Region-wide, Bukidnon suffered the most with

42% of the cases of 6,406 patients.

“All bureaus, units, hospitals, and attached

agencies of the DOH heightened monitoring of
dengue cases and provided immediate
management and assistance to those afflicted by
the disease,” Suba-an said.

Suba-an added that DOH personnel have been

directed to engage in a massive nationwide
information campaign, give advice, and
encourage the general public to follow the “4S”
strategy.

This is: to search and destroy the mosquito

breeding sites; self-protective measures like
using of insect repellants daily and wearing of
light-colored clothes, long sleeves, and long
pants; seek early consultation to the nearest
health care facility once signs and symptoms are
manifested; and support fogging, spraying, and
 More dengue cases in Metro Manila cities in These figures come from a total of 167,607
2019 cases and 720 deaths nationwide.

The Department of Health has recorded a total

The DOH on Tuesday, August 13, conducted a
of 10,103 cases and 43 deaths due to dengue in
“Search and Destroy” activity in the DOH
Metro Manila
compound in Sta Cruz, Manila, as part of its
efforts to prevent the disease.
Janella Paris
Published 8:09 PM, August 13, 2019 This comes a week after the agency declared a
Updated 8:09 PM, August 13, 2019 national dengue epidemic for the national
government and LGUs to “level up the
Twitter response” against the mosquito-borne disease.
Reddit
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The DOH has assured the public that hospitals
and LGUs are ready to respond to the increasing
number of cases as it continues to advocate for
the 4S strategy:

 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
 Say yes to fogging if there is an
impending outbreak

The agency also recommended that regions

“localize areas (municipalities and barangays)
with clustering, high attack rates, and case
fatality ration for prioritization of response.”

DENGUE IN METRO MANILA. A mother The DOH also told Regional Epidemiology and
uses a dropper to give a dose of 'tawa-tawa' Surveillance Units to “validate cases in specific
herbal juice to her child who is affected by areas with possible clustering and hotspots for
dengue virus at the Amang Rodriguez Hospital appropriate action.”
in Marikina City on August 8, 2019. Photo by
Darren Langit/Rappler
Clustering is a term in epidemiology which
describes an unusually high incidence of a
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of disease in a particular place and period of time.
Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday, August 13,
an increase in dengue cases in 10 out of the 17
local government units (LGUs) in the National
Capital Region (NCR) in 2019.

The DOH recorded a total of 10,103 cases in the

whole capital region from January 1 to July 27,
2019 – 56 cases less than the 10,159 from the
same period in 2018. However, the cases went
up in the following cities: Las Piñas, Makati,
Malabon, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Navotas,
Parañaque, Pasay, San Juan, and Taguig.

Data from the Department of Health

There have been 43 deaths since January, 14

cases less than the number of deaths recorded
during same period in 2018.
PH has most dengue cases in Southeast Asia in
2019
The Department of Health reports a total of
622 deaths due to dengue and 146,062 cases
from January 1 to July 23, 2019
Janella Paris
Published 2:20 PM, August 08, 2019
Updated 10:33 PM, August 08, 2019
MOST CASES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. The
Philippines recorded the most number of dengue
cases in Southeast Asia from January to July
2019. Photo from DOH Calabarzon
ADVERTISING
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has
recorded the most number of cases of dengue in
Southeast Asia so far in 2019, with 146,062
cases and 622 deaths due to the mosquito-borne
disease.
From January to July 23, the Philippines ranked
first, followed by Malaysia with 36,191 cases
and 102 deaths; Vietnam with 19,938 cases and
4 deaths; Laos with 2,064 cases and 27 deaths;
and Singapore with 1,421 cases and 27 deaths.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday,
August 6, declared a national dengue
epidemic as cases of the disease went up by 98%
compared to the same 7-month period last year.
The DOH in July had declared a national dengue
alert, but the status was raised to epidemic to
"level up the response" against the disease. This
way, local government units can use their Quick
Response Fund to address the epidemic situation
Quezon province recorded a total of 3,604
dengue cases with 9 deaths since January this
year, according to Calabarzon’s Regional
Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU).
Calabarzon, with 16,515 dengue cases, is one of
the 7 regions that have exceeded the epidemic
threshold. The others are Western Visayas with
23,330 cases, Zamboanga Peninsula with 12,317
cases, Northern Mindanao with 11,455 cases,
and Soccsksargen with 11,083 cases.
BE VIGILANT. Health chief Francisco Duque
III urges local officials and communities to
practice the 4S strategy in light of the epidemic.
Photo from DOH Calabarzon
Duque told Quezon officials in a meeting on
Wednesday, August 7, that while there is no
cure for dengue, they can stem an epidemic by
taking simple measures.
“The best thing that we can do is to clean our
surroundings, eliminate all mosquito breeding
sites that we can find in our homes such as water
in vases, tires, water drain at the back of
refrigerators. Check for an opening or cracks in
your septic tanks because this is where
mosquitoes hide and thrive,” he said.
The health chief also urged local officials and
communities to practice the 4S strategy, which
consists of the following:
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
Say yes to fogging if there is an impending
outbreakAccording to the United States Center
for Disease Control (CDC) global risk, an
estimated 390 million people get afflicted with
dengue each year. Outbreaks have occurred in
parts of Southeast Asia, Western Pacific, Eastern
Mediterranean, Americas, Caribbean, and
Africa.
It is said that 40% of the world’s population live
in areas at risk of dengue. – Rappler.com
Duterte open to use of Dengvaxia amid dengue
epidemic
President Rodrigo Duterte says he wants to
hear what local scientists and doctors have to
say about the controversial dengue vaccine
The Philippines has recorded the most number
of dengue cases in Southeast Asia so far in 2019,
with 146,062 cases and 622 deaths due to the
virus.

Rappler.com
Published 7:35 PM, August 08, 2019
Updated 7:35 PM, August 08, 2019
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo
Duterte on Thursday night, August 8, said he is
open to the use of Dengvaxia again in the
country following the health department's recent
declaration of a national dengue epidemic.

"Yes, I am open to the use of Dengvaxia

again. Maraming patay (Many have died), it's an
epidemic," Duterte said on the sidelinesof the
oath taking of newly promoted star rank officers
of the Philippine National Police.

"Now, compare it vis-à-vis to those who died, I

want to hear the words of the experts, doctors,
and we have enough bright people to tell us. I
don't need foreigners to tell me, my own Filipino
scientists and doctors would tell me what to do. I
will be guided by their announcements," Duterte
added.

Days before the Department of Health (DOH)

declared a national dengue
epidemic, Malacañang had already said it is
open to making the controversial dengue vaccine
available to Filipinos as long as experts can
vouch for its safety and efficacy.

Duterte echoed this on Thursday, saying he

would "go on the side of science."

The vaccine has been under public scrutiny since

November 2017, after Sanofi Pasteur issued an
advisory that Dengvaxia could cause more
severe cases of dengue if administered to a
person who had not been previously infected by
the virus.

Dengvaxia was used in a mass immunization

program for public school students. The
DOH suspended the program in December 2017
over the controversy.

This year, the country saw a rise in dengue

cases, with the health department declaring a
national dengue alert in July. A month after, the
status was raised to epidemic to "level up the
response" against the mosquito-borne disease.