TACLOBAN CITY – Dengue fever cases in Eastern Visayas have surged, with the Department of Health (DOH) reporting a 297% increase over the past eight months compared to the same period last year.
The DOH also confirmed 22 deaths due to dengue fever from January 1 to August 31, significantly higher than the nine deaths recorded during the same period last year.
In response, the health office has renewed its call for the public and local government units to intensify cleanup drives to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, which are the primary cause of dengue fever.
“We are urging hospitals and all health facilities to establish dengue fast lanes, ensure adequate healthcare providers, and maintain sufficient dengue commodities and medicines to deliver prompt services,” the DOH stated in an advisory issued on Thursday, September 5.
From January 1 to August 31 this year, the region has recorded 10,807 dengue fever cases, a sharp rise from the 2,723 cases during the same period last year—a 297% increase.
Of these patients, 22 have died, more than double the number of fatalities last year, which stood at nine.
The province of Samar reported the highest number of dengue-related deaths, with 11 fatalities, followed by Leyte with five, Eastern Samar with three, Northern Samar with two, and Southern Leyte with one.
Leyte province, including its capital city Tacloban, recorded the most dengue cases, with 4,633, followed by Samar with 2,832 cases.
Southern Leyte reported 1,643 cases, Eastern Samar 893, Northern Samar 576, and Biliran 230 cases.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
