Dengue deaths reach 197 in RP this year
Agence France-Presse
THE PHILIPPINES has reported 197 deaths and 14,738 cases of dengue fever this year, doctor Eric Tayag of the health department's National Epidemiology Center said Tuesday.
He said the number of reported cases was a 20-percent increase from the previous year, and that the death toll had exceeded the 144 registered for 2004.
"The health department placed the Philippines on a dengue fever alert last week and this is likely to stay in force for the remainder of the year," he said.
He said hospitals in some areas had become congested with dengue cases but added "we are coping at the moment."
The health department fears the number of infections could exceed 20,000 by the end of the year, and has ordered fumigation and other measures to prevent the spread of the mosquito-transmitted disease in the worst affected areas, including the capital Manila.
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