Romeo Braceros Jr.

According to the Department of Health's (DOH) disease surveillance data, more dengue cases were reported in the Davao Region this year.

A total of 7,406 cumulative dengue cases were reported from January 1 to November 12 of this year, a 68 percent increase from the 4,397 cases reported during the same period in 2021

An acute viral infection, dengue is now a year-round disease that primarily affects newborns and young children.

According to the same data, the incidence rate in the Davao Region for 2022—a measure of how quickly the disease spreads through a population—is 139.65 percent of the region's 5,080,154 total population.

The number of dengue-related deaths also climbed, from eight between January 1 and November 12, 2021, to 13 between the exact dates this year. However, comparing this to the national figures, it is noticeably low.

Data on dengue cases in the nation revealed a 190 percent increase in cases, with the total number of cases reported so far this year standing at 201,509, nearly tripling the number reported in 2021 at 69,505.

According to DOH, dengue-carrying mosquitoes typically bite two hours after sunrise and two hours before dusk. They breed in places with stagnant water.

High fever, excruciating headache, aching muscles and joints, nausea, and vomiting are all signs of dengue.

DOH emphasized the 4-S campaign against dengue to the public once more. The 4S acronym stands for Secure self-protection; Seek early counsel from health professionals; Search and remove mosquito breeding locations, and Support fogging/spraying.