CASES of dengue are on the rise in Northern Mindanao, as the region has seen a 134 percent increase from January 1, 2022 to June 11, 2022 compared to last year, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Northern Mindanao.
According to DOH-Northern Mindanao Medical Technologist IV Gemma Uy, the region has recorded 3,844 dengue cases from January 1 to June 11, 134 percent higher than last year's recorded dengue cases of the same period, which was at 1,641 cases.
Based on the data from the Regional Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU) of DOH-Northern Mindanao, Bukidnon has registered the most number of dengue cases as of June 11, 2022 with 1,322 cases. This figure is 322 percent higher than last year's, which was at 313 cases.
Cagayan de Oro City, on the other hand, recorded 757 dengue cases, followed by Misamis Oriental with 718 cases, Lanao del Norte with 502 cases, Iligan City with 294 cases, Misamis Occidental with 244 cases and Camiguin with seven cases.
Uy said that more than half of the dengue cases recorded in the region are from age group one to 10 years old. This pushed the health department to relaunch its School Dengue Project wherein they provide elementary schools with olyset net roll to be used as a screen in windows and doors.
Meanwhile, Northern Mindanao has also logged 14 dengue-related deaths, of which four were from Cagayan de Oro, three from Bukidnon, three from Misamis Oriental, two from Lanao del Norte and two from Iligan City.
The dengue case fatality rate in the region as of June 11, according to Uy, is now at 0.36 percent.
"Fatal gyud ang dengue. It is a virus, so once nga ma-infect ka with dengue, kinahanglan moadto na ka sa pinakaduol nga health facility," Uy said.
Uy urged the public to practice the 4S strategy to combat the increasing number of dengue cases. She emphasized the need to search and destroy mosquito breeding sites.