A rise in the number of dengue cases in Bicol has compelled the Department of Health (DOH) to raise the alarm in the region.

According to Jaime Guerrero, DOH public information officer, 812 dengue cases were reported in the region from January to June which is 100 percent higher compared to last year with 406.

Guerrero said 692 of the cases were recorded in Camarines Sur, followed by Albay with 871 cases, Sorsogon with 16 cases, Masbate and Camarines Norte has 12 cases each, and Catanduanes with 10 cases.

Half of the cases recorded in Camarines Sur were from Naga City, a place declared under a state of calamity due to dengue.

The DOH report indicated that except for Albay, which posted a 7 percent decrease in dengue cases from 76 cases down to 71 during the first six months of this year, other provinces had increasing trends in dengue cases.

Dengue is transmitted via an Aedes mosquito infected with any of the four dengue viruses. Symptoms normally appear after 3 to 14 days after being bitten by the mosquito.

Symptoms of dengue range from a mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. It affects infants, young children, and adults.