DEPARTMENT of Health-Cordillera (DOH-CAR) figures show that dengue cases in the region have significantly increased during the first two months of the year compared to the same time window in the previous year.
From January 1 to March 5, 2022, 502 cases of dengue were tallied across the region, compared to only 120 in the same time period in the previous year.
Benguet reported the highest number of cases with 201, followed by Kalinga’s 86, Baguio City’s 72, Apayao’s 63, Ifugao’s 38 and Mountain Province with the lowest figures of only 12 cases in the time period.
Only Abra has seen no dengue incidence all year.
Humpfrey Alejandro, DOH-CAR epidemiology and surveillance officer, said the dengue cases in Baguio City and municipalities in the region have exceeded the weekly alert and epidemic thresholds.
Additionally, multiple barangays in the region have seen a clustering of cases over the past several months.
However, to date, only one dengue-related death has been recorded region-wide this year.
Health authorities have recently re-categorized dengue fever as a year-round illness instead of a rainy-season sickness as it was previously treated, as reproduction by the dengue-carrying mosquitoes continues even during the dry season, especially in areas where there is clear and stagnant water.
Dengue is also considered to be a cyclical disease as cases are seen surging every three to four years.
