The Philippines has recorded a 33 percent increase in dengue cases in the first 8 months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

67 leptospirosis cases recorded in second half of July; dengue cases ‘on uptrend’: DOH

The Department of Health said it recorded a total of 136,161 dengue cases from January to August 3, compared to only 102,374 cases in the same period last year.

Health officials said there are fewer dengue deaths this year at 364, compared to last year at 401 for the same time period. This indicates that people are seeking early consultation, and hospitals are doing better case management, DOH said. 

"Lower deaths despite higher cases means our campaigns are working. Let us continue to seek early consultation for symptoms that may already be Dengue. Let us also keep cleaning our surroundings - search and destroy mosquito breeding grounds: anything with stagnant water," Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

Dengue is endemic in the Philippines which, according to the World Health Organization, is the reason for “longer seasonal epidemics with increasing magnitude and geographic spread.”

Globally, the number of dengue infections has seen an increase over the past few decades, which has posed a substantial challenge to public health.

WHO: PH most affected by dengue in Western Pacific