Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippines recorded 205 deaths related to dengue fever from January 1 to June 15, as cases started to rise amid the wet season, the Department of Health (DOH) said July 1.
During the period, a total of 77,867 dengue cases were detected across the Southeast Asian country, resulting in a year-on-year surge of 15%, reported the DOH.
Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa recently issued a call to action, emphasising that it is not too late to make a difference. He urged local governments to take the lead in the crucial task of searching and destroying mosquito breeding grounds.
On May 29, the weather bureau declared the start of the rainy season in the Philippines.
Water-borne infectious diseases, including dengue, usually peak at the start of the rainy season due to fluctuating weather conditions, flooding and accumulation of contaminated water./.
Ministry licenses vaccines against dengue, shingles and pneumococcal 23
Three new vaccines including a dengue fever vaccine, a vaccine against shingles and a pneumococcal 23 vaccine have been licensed by the Ministry of Health (MoH).