August 8 ------ THE increasing prevalence of water-borne illness, influenza-like illness, leptospirosis and dengue has prompted the Department of Health (DoH) to raise the alarm as rains continue. Earlier this week, the DoH reported a year-on-year increase in dengue fever cases nationwide. Based on the data for the morbidity week ending July 27, 2024, there had been 128,834 dengue cases reported in the country, a 33 percent increase from the 97,211 cases reported in the same period last year.
Also, there were 337 deaths reported in the same morbidity week, which is lower than the 378 deaths reported in the same period last year. The DoH said that the lower number of deaths despite the higher number of cases was due to more people seeking early consultation and hospitals doing better dengue case management. On the other hand, the DoH has urged the public to continue its 4S strategy against dengue as cases remain in an uptrend, from 12,153 cases during the week of June 16–29 to 18,349 cases recorded from June 30 to July 13.
4S means search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, self-protection measures, saying no to indiscriminate fogging, and seeking early consultation. Among the regions that showed a continuous rise in dengue cases in the past six weeks until July 27 include Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Cagayan Valley and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon). "Using self-protection measures — clothes that cover the skin, mosquito nets and repellants — will help slow down the rise in cases. Let us also support fogging or spraying in areas identified as local hotspots or outbreak zones," Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa added.
Meanwhile, the DoH has warned against the increasing prevalence of leptospirosis cases two weeks after some parts of the country experienced intense flooding due to Typhoon Carina and an enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat). During the week of July 14–27, only 67 cases of leptospirosis were reported across the country, but DoH epidemiologists are cautious as there could be delayed reports. It also noted that the incubation period for leptospirosis may range from 2 to 30 days, with symptoms usually showing around 1-2 weeks after exposure to contaminated floodwater.
There had been 1,444 cases of leptospirosis from the start of 2024 until July 27, a decrease of 42 percent from the 2,505 reported in the same period last year. Also, 162 fatalities were reported during this period. Herbosa urged the public to avoid wading in floodwaters, as they are dirty and could lead to sickness such as leptospirosis. "For those who have no choice but to wade, there is a widely available antibiotic prophylaxis by prescription. The price freeze for Doxycycline stays until September 23, and we have free capsules nationwide at government health centers and hospitals," Herbosa said. "Do not wait for symptoms to appear; consult a doctor or health center for prophylaxis within 24-48 hours after first wading through flood waters," he added.
Source: manilatimes.net
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