Health authorities have recorded a total of 373 deaths related to the killer disease dengue so far this year, with Metro Manila accounting for most of the cases. The Department of Health said there were 63,741 dengue cases from January to September 3 this year, a 27.08-percent drop from 87,409 cases and 586 deaths in the same period last year. But Health Secretary Enrique Ona, in a news release posted on the government portal Wednesday night, warned the public not to be complacent as dengue remains a year-round health threat. Still, he credited the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, especially local governments, for the "marked reduction" in cases. Ona cited the local government units’ timely dissemination of information to residents and heading of cleanup drives in their communities. The DOH’s figures showed most of the cases came from:
Metro Manila (14,081) Central Luzon (11,427) CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) (9,414) Ilocos (8,811) Cagayan Valley (3,942). Within Metro Manila, most cases were from Quezon City (4,385), Caloocan City (1,802), Manila (1,620), Valenzuela (1,029), Pasig (800), and Malabon (706). Ages of those infected ranged from less than a month old to 92 years old. The majority (53 percent) of reported cases were male while 41 percent belonged to the 1-10 years age group. Meanwhile, Ona maintained that dengue is a preventable disease as he urged the public to continue maintaining clean surroundings by ensuring that all possible mosquito breeding sites are destroyed or discarded. Some of the common breeding sites of the Aedes Aegypti are empty softdrink bottles, bamboo husks, old tires, and flower vases. Ona also advised all suspect dengue cases to seek immediate medical consultation for proper case management. The World Health Organization defines dengue as an acute febrile viral disease frequently presenting with headaches, bone or joint muscular pains, rash and leukopenia as symptoms. It said dengue hemorrhagic fever is characterized by major manifestations: high fever hemorrhagic phenomena, often with hepatomegaly signs of circulatory failure Some patients may develop hypovolaemic shock resulting from plasma leakage, or dengue shock syndrome, which can be fatal. — RSJ, GMA News 
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