Philippines: Nearly 1,300 dengue cases reported on Leyte island

June 15, 2022

Asia

No Comments

Officials with the Department of Health Eastern Visayas are reporting 1,856 dengue fever cases since the beginning of the year, an increase of 545 percent compared to the same period in 2021 (~200 cases).

Of the 1,863 cases, including deaths, 709 were logged in Leyte province, 570 in Southern Leyte, 202 in Samar, 144 in Eastern Samar, 160 in Biliran, and 78 in Northern Samar.

In addition, seven dengue fatalities were reported.

Nationally, the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) recorded 34,938 cases, which is 23% higher than the 28,336 recorded during the same period in 2021.

Aedes aegypti merchandise

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are four closely related but antigenically different serotypes of the virus that can cause dengue (DEN1, DEN 2, DEN 3, DEN 4).

Dengue Fever (DF) – marked by an onset of sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and pain in muscles and joints. Some may also have a rash and varying degree of bleeding from various parts of the body (including nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising).Dengue has a wide spectrum of infection outcome (asymptomatic to symptomatic). Symptomatic illness can vary from dengue fever (DF) to the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) – is a more severe form, seen only in a small proportion of those infected. DHF is a stereotypic illness characterized by 3 phases; febrile phase with high continuous fever usually lasting for less than 7 days; critical phase (plasma leaking) lasting 1-2 days usually apparent when fever comes down, leading to shock if not detected and treated early; convalescence phase lasting 2-5 days with improvement of appetite, bradycardia (slow heart rate), convalescent rash (white patches in red background), often accompanied by generalized itching (more intense in palms and soles), and diuresis (increase urine output).

Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) — Shock syndrome is a dangerous complication of dengue infection and is associated with high mortality. Severe dengue occurs as a result of secondary infection with a different virus serotype. Increased vascular permeability, together with myocardial dysfunction and dehydration, contribute to the development of shock, with resultant multiorgan failure.