MANILA, Philippines — The number of dengue cases nationwide increased to 61,406 from Jan. 1 to April 6, according to the Department of Health.

The DOH said the figures are more than double than those recorded during the same period last year.

At least 1,232 dengue cases were recorded from March 31 to April 6 alone.

According to the agency’s dengue surveillance report, the prevalence of the mosquito-borne disease exceeded epidemic threshold in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula and Northern Mindanao.

Dengue prevalence in Cagayan Valley, Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen, Zamboanga peninsula, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras exceeded the alert threshold, the report also showed.

The number of fatalities rose from 175 last year to 255 in the past four months.

More than half or 32,506 of the patients are male while 25 percent or 15,259 are aged five to nine.

Central Visayas recorded the most number of cases with 6,868 followed by Calabarzon with 5,748 and Metro Manila with 5,599.