PAMPANGA -- The Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office here has raised the alert level to critical following the surge of dengue cases in Central Luzon from January to April 16 this year.
In a media forum at Partyland on Monday, DOH Regional Director Rio Magpantay asked for media's help in disseminating information to raise awareness among its partner agencies, as well as heads of local government units.
Magpantay said the number of cases in the region is continuously rising, noting a 200-percent increase in the first quarter of this year.
"We are experiencing a dramatic peak in the number of cases this year and we are extensively monitoring it to avert a possible outbreak," Magpantay said.
According to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance unit, 3,688 dengue cases were reported from January to April this year, higher than the same period last year.
Bulacan still tops the list with 1,253 cases; Nueva Ecija with 927; Tarlac with 337; Bataan with 316; and Zambales with 186. A total of 17 deaths have been noted so far.
In Pampanga, 724 cases with at least two deaths have been reported.
