DOH: Fewer dengue cases reported in Metro Manila

This is in reference to the “Did You Know” item written by Schatzi Quodala (Metro, 7/25/13). The item stated that from Jan. 1 to July 6, 2013, there were 903 reported cases of dengue in Quezon City, 647 in Manila, and 475 in Caloocan City.

While these figures are accurate, the item failed to mention that in Metro Manila, there has been a 69.16-percent decrease in the number of dengue cases, or 4,143 cases from Jan. 1-July 13, 2013, compared to 14,434 cases during the same period last year. The number of dengue cases in all 16 cities and one municipality of Metro Manila declined.

In Quezon City, there were 965 cases of dengue from Jan. 1-July 13, 2013, which is 77.46 percent lower compared to the same period last year (4,281 cases). There were three deaths this year compared to 24 deaths during the same period last year. In Manila, there was a 67-percent decrease, from 2,095 cases in 2012 to 691 cases this year; while in Caloocan City, there was a 69-percent reduction, from 1,591 cases in 2012 to 493 cases this year.

—ENRIQUE T. ONA, MD,

secretary, Department of Health