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Workers spray water-based insecticides in a community at Barangay Old Balara in Quezon City on August 22, 2024, to combat mosquitoes that cause dengue fever. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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DOH expects continuous rise in vector-borne illnesses as extreme weather persist

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1730784604792172655948361220240822-dengue-spray-old-balara-MT6.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Workers spray water-based insecticides in a community at Barangay Old Balara in Quezon City on August 22, 2024, to combat mosquitoes that cause dengue fever. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — As extreme weather continues to batter the country, the Department of Health is anticipating a gradual rise in vector-borne diseases particularly leptospirosis and dengue.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/8/13/ph-records-255-leptospirosis-cases-in-2-weeks-after-carina-habagat-859">READ: PH records 255 leptospirosis cases in 2 weeks after Carina, habagat</a></div><p>Data from the DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) show that some areas in the region have reached the epidemic threshold for leptospirosis. Latest figures show more than 2,700 cases in 2024 compared to the 1,400 infections the year prior.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/9/16/philippines-logs-208-000-dengue-cases-as-of-sept-2024-1231">READ: Philippines logs 208,000 dengue cases as of Sept 2024</a></div><p>Meanwhile, cases of dengue in the region have breached the alert threshold, with over 24,000 cases this year compared to the 18,000 cases in 2023.</p><p>Officials of the MMCHD explain that breaching thresholds is an indication of a significant rise in infections compared to usual.</p><p>&quot;Kapag umabot ang bilang ng mga kaso sa threshold na ito, itinuturing itong indikasyon na posibleng may outbreak na nangyayari,&quot; said Mary Grace Labayen of the MMCHD Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.</p><p>(Once areas reach thresholds, it can be considered as an indication of a possible outbreak.)</p><p>Dr. Rio Magpantay, MMCHD Director, says with 14 out of 17 areas in Metro Manila noting a rise in dengue infection, the remaining three are not spared from the possibility of more infections. However, he notes that the most vulnerable are those who live in informal settler communities.</p><p>&quot;Yan ang tinututukan namin lalo na kasi crowded sila. Meron pa silang ibang [mga] gawain sa kanilang pamumuhay roon at baka lang nakakalimutan nilang hanapin ang iba pang pinamumugaran. That&#x27;s why kelangan talaga nila ng tulong at assistance from the local government units, the DOH and other partners para may right information.&quot; He said.</p><p>(We are closely looking at these areas especially since they are dense. They also have other priorities which is why they may not always get to clean breeding sites. That&#x27;s why they really need the help and assistance of the local government, the DOH and other partners for the right information.)</p><p>Magpantay urges communities to take these figures seriously as historical data points to the possibility of death from the illness which may be otherwise considered as preventable.</p><div><strong>-- Not just a health issue -- </strong></div><p>The DOH acknowledges that more than just a health issue, rising dengue and leptospirosis infections are also an issue of environment and climate change.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/6/21/faster-stronger-more-expert-blames-climate-change-for-increase-in-dengue-mosquitoes-1722">READ: Faster, stronger, more: Expert blames climate change for increase in dengue mosquitoes</a></div><p>As changing weather patterns exacerbate the intensity and frequency of extreme weather systems that ravage the country, the public can subsequently expect their aftermath to be conducive for the development and spread of various types of pathogens.</p><p>This is why merely knowing what vitamins and supplements to take are often not enough. Instead, the public must also increase their knowledge on ways they could mitigate climate-related problems.</p><p>To be able to say that cases of the disease are manageable, Magpantay says infections should be at a controlled level with no fatalities.</p><p>&quot;We can manage yung mga simpleng dengue. Pero kung nakikita natin na maraming ang no-ospital talaga because breeding dito, breeding doon, mahihirapan tayo sabihin na it&#x27;s manageable. Ang mahalaga ngayon ay surveillance doon pa lang sa barangay sa purok nanakikita na natin kung may isang kaso, dapat nagagawa na ang dapat gawin,&quot; Magpantay said.</p><p>(We can manage simple dengue cases. But if we see that a lot of patients are being hospitalized because there are so many breeding sites, we would have difficulty in saying it&#x27;s manageable. What is important at this point is surveillance in areas where we see the illness.)</p><p>State weather bureau PAGASA has earlier said the country may see around four to five more weather systems affecting the country until the end of the year.  They urge the public to remain vigilant in communities and ensure that the impacts of these weather events to health are kept at a manageable if not minimum level. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/25/4-to-7-storms-to-form-inside-or-enter-philippine-area-before-2024-ends-pagasa-1356">READ: 4 to 7 storms to form inside or enter Philippine area before 2024 ends -- PAGASA</a></div>

<p>As extreme weather continues to batter the country, the Department of Health is anticipating a gradual rise in vector-borne diseases particularly leptospirosis and dengue.</p>

As extreme weather continues to batter the country, the Department of Health is anticipating a gradual rise in vector-borne diseases particularly leptospirosis and dengue.