BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Dengue cases in Baguio have tapered off as the city experienced incessant monsoon rains known here locally as nepnep, which started in the last week of August.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong made this observation in a city hall group chat. He also said that residents still have to continue clearing up mosquito breeding places and seek consultation as soon as dengue fever symptoms appear.
The Baguio City Health Services Office said that as of September 5, there are 6,718 cases of dengue in the city.
There are also 15 deaths, which is one of the highest in years.
Mosquito-borne diseases have wrought havoc on the health of Cordillerans this year.
The cases of dengue rose by 265% in the tally made by the Department of Health-Cordillera from January 1 to August 24. In 2023, the cases of dengue in Cordillera during that period was 4,715.
From January to August 24, 2024, however, the regional cases rose by 17,917. There were 27 deaths due to dengue this year compared to 8 in the same period in 2023.
DOH-Cordillera also noted that there were two cases of malaria this year, so far, compared to zero last year.
Cases of chikungunya, another mosquito-based disease characterized by headache, fever and joint pains plunged from 879 last year to 26 this year. – Rappler.com