MANILA - The Philippines grapples with increasing dengue cases "well ahead" of the onset of the rainy season, recording a 56 percent surge in cases from January to Feb 15 this year, the country's Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

During this time, the DOH has tallied 43,732 dengue cases, 56 percent higher than the 27,995 cases recorded in the same period last year.

However, the health department said the case fatality ratio this year, which is at 0.38 percent, continues to be lower than the 0.42 percent observed last year.

The DOH attributes decreased deaths to improved healthcare delivery and better health-seeking practices.

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Metro Manila and two other regions near the Philippine capital have a high count of dengue cases, accounting for more than half of the cases nationwide.

Data show that younger age groups are the most affected, with most cases among those aged 10 to 14 and five to nine.

Philippine Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urged parents and caregivers to take protective measures, including dressing children in long-sleeved clothes and pants, applying mosquito repellents, using mosquito nets while sleeping, and avoiding mosquito-prone areas.

Dengue, a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, is endemic in the Philippines. Symptoms include headache, body aches, and fever. Severe cases can sometimes result in death.

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Water-borne infectious diseases, including dengue, usually peak at the start of the rainy season from July to October due to fluctuating weather conditions, flooding, and accumulation of contaminated water.