The Philippine Online Chronicles

A vaccine for dengue fever is set to be released by 2014, upon passing evaluations and tests.

The Department of Health (DOH) also seen slow down in trend of dengue cases since the year started.

The vaccine, developed by a French pharmaceutical firm, was seen to be effective in combating the disease in a test conducted on 2,000 children in Laguna last month, DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag said.

However, the public is still urged to follow the 4S strategy and promote voluntary blood donation in towns and provinces in the country as part of the government's drive against dengue.

The 4S strategy includes search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; self-protection measures; seeking early treatment, and saying no to indiscriminate fogging.

Tayag also noted the need for blood donations in severe cases of dengue, which the World Health Organization has described as the “fastest emerging arboviral infection” in the world.

He also cited the difference between voluntary donation and patient-directed donors.

"Sa kagustuhan ng dugo para sa operasyon, pakikiusapan na mag-donate ang kamag-anak o kapitbahay na maaaring hindi magsabi ng totoo,” Tayag said, of the dangers of patient-directed blood donation.

In a separate report, Tayag pointed to a 25.85% decrease from last year's recorded cases of dengue from January to July 23. The DOH listed 38,876 cases this year, compared to the same period last year which saw 52,428 cases.

“The implication is this: the peak season could be changing but we could only say this at the end of August,” Tayag explained.