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Manila, Philippines – Health authorities in the Philippines have declared a "national dengue alert" after an outbreak of viral disease that has claimed more than 450 deaths since January.
In the Philippines, about 100,000 dengue cases were reported in the first six months of 2019, an increase of 85% over the same period last year.
Epidemics have been reported in four regions of the country – Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao – home to more than 20 million people, about 20% of the Filipino population.
Health officials are also monitoring the situation in nine other regions, including Davao, President of the Philippines Roderigo Duterte, but said that dengue remained "localized" rather than a national epidemic, reported CNN Philippines.
A viral infection transmitted by a mosquito, dengue fever causes flu-like symptoms, including piercing headaches, muscle and joint pain, fever and complete rashes. According to World Health Organization estimates, about 500 million people with dengue fever each year worldwide are developing severe symptoms requiring hospitalization. Of these 12,500 people, about 12,500 die.
While it is more common in tropical and subtropical climates such as the Philippines, India and Brazil, a recent study showed that rising global temperatures caused by the climate crisis could see mosquitoes carrying the dengue, as well as yellow fever and Zika – are moving north, affecting the southern United States, inland Australia and the coastal areas of China and Japan.
In the Philippines, dengue cases have historically increased every three to four years and this year's strong increase is in line with expectations after a nationwide outbreak in 2016, said the Secretary of Health of the United States. country, Franciso Duque, in a statement.
This upsurge in dengue cases comes as the country is battling a nationwide measles outbreak, which, according to the authorities, has killed more people this year than any year in 2018 and puts people at risk. 2.6 million children in danger.
The most effective ways to prevent dengue include the search for and destruction of mosquito breeding grounds, the widespread use of mosquito control products and the prompt search for a consultation at the first signs and symptoms of the disease. said Philippine health officials.
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