By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
In June, Philippines Health Secretary, Francisco Duque III predicted the 2019 dengue fever outbreak in the country would see 240,000 cases by the end of the year.
Looking back, it appears Duque was being too conservative with his estimates.
According to the most recent numbers from the Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of Health, 307,704 dengue cases were reported nationwide, including 1,247 deaths through Sep. 14.
This is 116 percent higher that the same period last year when 142,783 cases were reported on the archipelago.
The regions reporting the most cases include Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Metro Manila and Central Luzon.
Health officials say children 14 and younger account for about six out of 10 cases.
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On Aug. 6, the Philippines declared the country’s outbreak of dengue to be a national epidemic.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue. Approximately, half of the world’s population is at risk and it affects infants, young children and adults. The incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years. Up to 50-100 million infections are now estimated to occur annually in over 100 endemic countries, putting almost half of the world’s population at risk.
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