175 new dengue cases in MM

MANILA, Philippines - At least 175 new dengue cases, including five deaths, were recorded in Metro Manila from March 3 to 9, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

Partial data from the DOH’s National Capital Region office showed that the new cases brought to 1,537 the total number of dengue cases reported in the NCR since Jan 1. This figure includes the five deaths reported in Quezon City, Manila and Caloocan.

DOH-NCR director Dr. Eduardo Janairo, however, said the number of dengue cases is “65 percent lower compared to the 4,334 cases recorded during the same period last year and 54 percent less than the previous five-year average.”

Quezon City accounted for the biggest number of cases with a total of 265 while Pasay City posted the highest “attack rate” or cases per population.

Majority or 45 percent of the dengue patients belong to the 15 to 49-year-old age bracket. Males also accounted for more than half or 54 percent of the total cases during this period.

The DOH-NCR also reported fewer cases of diarrhea, acute encephalitis syndrome, diphtheria, influenza and leptospirosis in Metro Manila.