Duque said Metro Manila remains on top of the list of regions with the most number of dengue cases followed by Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).

"We have intensified our campaign against dengue, but we really need the help of the public to make our campaign effective," he said, adding that the number is expected to go up this month.

The secretary said despite the increasing number of dengue cases, the case fatality rate remained low at 1 percent, which he attributed to the quick responses of the families of patients and health workers.

Duque said the DOH decided to start the anti-dengue campaign early this year because dengue patients admitted to hospitals are now year-round, unlike before when dengue cases are prevalent only during the rainy season.

He said dengue cases have become a year-round phenomenon because of climate change and urbanization. Of these two, he said urbanization has the worst effect.

"Mosquitoes don't need to travel far to spread dengue," Duque said, citing the continued congestion in urban areas, particularly Metro Manila.