MANILA: The number of patients dying from dengue, a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, is lower this year despite an increase in cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday. "The case fatality rate for this year is very small actually, 0.27 percent. In terms of absolute numbers, that is 364 deaths," DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview. The recorded deaths are from the 136,161 cases from Jan. 1 to Aug. 3. The country has logged 102,374 dengue cases with 401 deaths for the same period last year. Domingo said the decrease in deaths is partly attributed to the help-seeking behavior of patients. "Maaga na pong komunsulta ang ating mga kababayan (Early consultation is observed among our fellowmen)," he said. "Ang sintomas ng dengue, leptospirosis, gastroenteritis, trangkaso, nagsisimula pare-pareho -- lagnat sakit ng ulo at pananakit ng katawan (Dengue symptoms are similar to those of leptospirosis, gastroenteritis, and flu, they all start with headache, body a ches)," he said. The public is advised not to ignore these symptoms, particularly among young children. As of Aug. 3, the areas that logged an increase in dengue cases include the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and Caraga. Source: Philippines News Agency