Philippines DOH Faced with National Dengue Epidemic
The Philippines is facing a national dengue epidemic as stated by its Department of Health. Over 140.000 cases have been recorded in the first half of this year. A council has been formed in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to face this issue. It has been designated as the National Disaster Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC.
What is dengue fever?
Dengue fever is a disease that originates from the dengue virus that is spread by mosquitos in tropical areas of the world. Symptoms include fever, headaches, vomiting, muscle and joints pains, along with a signature skin rash. It can be treated and cured in one week but if left untreated it evolves into a hemorrhagic fever.
Critical outbreak
The secretary of the DOH, Francisco Duque III, has made a press briefing in which he stated that reported cases of dengue fever are a massive 98 percent higher than last year. In 2019 there have been 622 deaths associated with the virus so far.
The Department of Health secretary made the following comment:
“It is important that a National Epidemic be declared to identify if a localized response is needed, and to enable the local government units to use their Quick Response Fund to address the epidemic situation,”
Most affected regions
The council has decreed that all national member agencies will be required to support the DOH in combating the epidemic. The DOH Dengue Surveillance Report has cataloged the following regions as the most affected in the country. These have been sorted by number of reported cases.
- Region 6 (Western Visayas) – 23.330
- Region 4-A (Calabarzon) – 16.515
- Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) – 12.317
- Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) – 455
- Region 12 (Soccsksargen) – 11.083
- Region 7 (Central Visayas) – 10.728
- Region 1 (Ilocos) – 4.396
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