Dengue cases rise amid persistent rains

DENGUE cases rose 8 percent in the week ending June 22 from a year earlier amid continued rains, the Department of Health said in a statement yesterday.

Cases of the debilitating viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes rose to 3,610 during that week bringing the total this year to 98,179, according to the agency.

The Health department said 428 people have died this year, with Western Visayas reporting the highest number of cases at 11,285. Dengue causes fever and acute pains in the joints.

Other regions with the highest reported dengue cases are Calabarzon with 10,313; Central Visayas with 8,773; Soccsksargen with 8,297; Southern Mindanao with 8,289 cases.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III asked the public to practice preventive strategies to prevent dengue. These include destroying mosquito breeding sites, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and using a mosquito repellent. — Gillian Cortez