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Philippines health officials are reporting a dramatic increase in dengue fever cases during the first quarter of 2019, and say cases are expected to rise with the coming rainy season.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

According to the Department of Health (DOH), 48,634 dengue cases were reported in the first three months of 2019. including 184 deaths.

This is up from 23,328 cases with 150 deaths for the same period in 2018.

Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo said, “We’re preparing because we’re expecting 2019 to be a big dengue year”, adding that cases are expected to rise in June–the start of the rainy season.

DOH notes that Central Visayas has the highest number of cases this year with 5,421 followed by Metro Manila with 4,855 cases, Calabarzon with 4,851 cases, Caraga Region with 4,570 cases and Central Luzon with 4,009 cases.