THE City Health Office in Zamboanga has reported that the number of dengue cases since January 2019, have increased.

City Health Office chief Dr. Dulce Miravite, said monitoring data showed a steep increase in dengue cases in the city for 2019, consistently registering higher numbers compared to the reported figures in 2018.

For the month of May, Miravite said a total of 497 dengue cases were reported which is significantly higher compared to 2018’s 131 cases.

Miravite clarified that dengue cases have not yet reached epidemic threshold levels, however, prompt and collective action from barangays and residents is a must to prevent outbreak.

Miravite disclosed that they have noted an upward trend of cases at the start of 2019.

She said there were 454 cases in January, 285 in February, 257 in March, and 290 in April. Last year’s figures for the same months were 89, 95, 93, and 58 cases, respectively.

“We see really marked an increase in our reported cases monthly. Although we have not reached our outbreak threshold but this is enough to really do our activities to control dengue before we reach outbreak,” Miravite said.

As early as February, the health official said they have tapped and mobilized village officials to carry out measures against dengue in their areas of responsibility.

She said the anti-dengue measures include searching and destroying breeding sites, using protection against mosquito bites, and early consultation. (SunStar Philippines)