Dengue is endemic in the Philippines. It used to appear in 2- to 3-year cycles, particularly at the start of the rainy season. Cases per year have ranged from 200,000 to 400,000 but have gradually dropped during the lockdown phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, two weeks ago, Cebu City reported an alarming rise in cases of dengue compared to last year. As of this writing, an outbreak is yet to be declared, but the Department of Health (DOH) sees this rise as a cause of concern, especially for Central Visayas.
Early diagnosis is crucial because the disease can become critical if not dealt with right away. Currently, the case fatality rate in Central Visayas is 0.8 percent, with Cebu having reported around 4,000 cases and 38 deaths.
This Friday, June 10, 12nn to 2pm, the University of the Philippines (UP), in partnership with UP Manila National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), National Telehealth Center (NTC), and in cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), invite you to join the fight against dengue and COVID.
What are the latest updates on dengue in the Philippines? What is the role that climate change can plays in the new and more aggressive behavior of the Aedes egypti mosquito? How can we help our communities understand the course of the disease and anticipate when symptoms are worsening? What does every healthcare front-liner need to know about a possible surge in dengue here in our country?
This week’s episode of the UP “Stop COVID Deaths” webinar series, titled “Dengue Alert sa Panahon ng Pandemya”, will seek to answer these questions about dengue amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The webinar will feature three experts: Dr. Evalyn A. Roxas, Associate Professor of the Dept. of Microbiology at UP Manila and Clinical Associate Professor of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UP PGH; Dr. Belle M. Ranile, Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist from Cebu City; and Dr. Zelig Javier, Division Head of the Environmental Health and Sanitation of the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) and former Dengue Coordinator of CCHD.
Don’t miss this timely episode by registering here. You may also catch our weekly live tweets and streams via the UP System Twitter Account and TVUP’s YouTube channel channel and Facebook page.
The award-winning UP “Stop COVID Deaths” Webinar Series is the Philippines’ first and only frontline-focused medical webinar series. It pioneered the discussion, dissemination, and adoption of knowledge on COVID-19 treatment and management. Follow our accounts to stay connected with your credible online community.