The Department of Health (DOH) said the number of dengue cases in the country lower by 33% last July.

Records showed that a total of 8,171 cases was recorded between July 6 to 19, compared to the 12,166 dengue cases from June 22 to July 5, DOH said.

But despite the down trend, this does not mean the public should be lax about the threat of dengue, it added.

“Payo naman ng DOH, ‘wag maging kampante sa banta ng dengue—maaraw man o maulan,” the Health Department said.

In February this year, the DOH said the number of dengue cases during rainy season may be high. However, dengue may happen all year round.

The DOH again reminded the public to follow the 4Ts strategy — Taob (turn container updside down), Taktak (empty water containers), Tuyo (keep surroundings dry), and Takip (cover containers) — every 4 p.m. to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said last June 30 that the government is aiming to bring dengue deaths down to zero, citing the then case fatality rate of just 0.4%.

To support this, the DOH has expanded dengue fast lanes in hospitals and coordinated with local government units for targeted response efforts in hotspot areas. Medical supplies like IV fluids are also stocked in government hospitals nationwide.