Dengue fever cases in Baguio City have seen a significant decline, attributed to continuous monsoon rains known locally as nepnep, which commenced in the last week of August.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong highlighted this development in a city hall group chat, emphasizing the importance of ongoing community efforts in clearing mosquito breeding sites and seeking immediate medical consultation upon the appearance of dengue fever symptoms.
Despite the downtrend, the Baguio City Health Services Office reported that as of September 5, there have been 6,718 cases of dengue in 2024. The death toll stands at 15, marking one of the highest fatality counts in recent years.
The region has experienced a substantial surge in mosquito-borne diseases this year. Data from the Department of Health-Cordillera reveals that dengue cases rose by 265% from January 1 to August 24, compared to the same period in the previous year. The figures skyrocketed from 4,715 cases in 2023 to 17,917 in 2024. Additionally, there have been 27 dengue-related deaths in 2024, a stark contrast to the 8 fatalities reported in the same timeframe last year.
Other mosquito-borne diseases have also been prevalent. The region reported two cases of malaria this year, whereas there were none in the previous year. Conversely, cases of chikungunya, another mosquito-transmitted disease characterized by headache, fever, and joint pains, have dramatically decreased from 879 cases last year to just 26 this year.
This alarming rise in dengue cases underscores the critical need for public health initiatives and community participation in disease control measures.
While the decline in dengue cases is a positive development, the significant increase in infections and fatalities highlights the urgency for continued vigilance and proactive measures in combating mosquito-borne diseases. The community must remain committed to preventive efforts to ensure a sustained reduction in dengue incidence.
Source: Rappler