Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 22) --- The country has so far tallied 39,705 dengue cases from January 1 to June 4 this year, the Department of Health reported on Wednesday.

“Accumulatively, this is 31% higher compared to the reported cases during the same time period in 2021,” said Health Spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire in a virtual briefing.

Vergerie noted that 14 out of 17 regions in the country have already exceeded the epidemic threshold.

Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula are regions with the highest number of cases, she added.

Moreover, 202 dengue-related deaths have been recorded since the beginning of the year. There were 39 deaths recorded in January, 36 in February, 34 in March, 43 in April, 48 in May and two in June.

Vergeire reiterated DOH’s call to follow the 4S strategy: search and destroy breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying in hotspot areas.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It can cause high fever, headaches, rashes and pain throughout the body.