DAVAO City has the most number of dengue cases in Region 11, wherein it already reached to 644 in just three months, as compared to 274 in the same period of 2018.

According to Julinda Acosta, City Health Office (CHO) technical division chief, 557 were confirmed dengue cases.

Acosta said the city recorded one death this year, an 84-year-old male from Times Beach in Matina.

The city is one of dengue “hotspots”, according to a recent report from the Department of Health (DOH).

Other areas included are Apayao, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

The DOH has already recorded 49,000 dengue cases nationwide.

Dengue cases also increased in nearby municipalities and provinces, with an overall number of 1,551 cases, including two fatalities, in Davao Region. The number increased from 566, including one fatality, in 2018.

Following Davao City with the highest number of dengue cases reported is Compostela Valley with 359 (zero death), then Davao Oriental with 318 (one death), Davao del Norte with 191 (zero death), Davao del Sur with 32 (zero death), and Davao Occidental with seven (zero deaths).

Davao Occidental is the only province in Region 11 that had a reduction of cases, from last year’s 11.

Acosta attributed the increase in dengue cases to the stored water from the recent rainfalls, including from Typhoon Chedeng.

She also said that summer season is mostly the peak season of dengue due to stagnant waters, thus she urges communities to do their share in cleaning their surroundings.

“Gina-awhag namo ang mga tao na mutabang sa amo kay in the first place, dili lang man namo ni trabaho ang manlimpyo sa ilang tugkaran, (We are calling the help of everyone, because in the first place, it is not only the government who should cleanup every individual’s vicinity),” Acosta said.

Acosta said that CHO is planning to have Citywide Clean Up in the city, wherein other agencies will be tapped to help the office in its efforts to reduce the number of dengue cases.