The Department of Health (DoH) reported a total of 25,283 dengue cases nationwide from January 1 to June 26, a figure that is 40 percent higher than last year.

A total of 190 deaths were registered within the said period and health officials warned the public to be on alert against the mosquito-borne disease that is present all-year round.

Last year, there were only 18,055 cases registered within the same period.

The DoH said changes in weather condition is suitable for mosquito-breeding, because rains result to clean, stagnant water in containers making it easy for mosquito breeding.

"The public should avoid contracting dengue. They should be wary against stagnant water...It does occur all over the year and this does not occur for only a certain month like during the start of the rainy season," Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.

A total of 172 barangays nationwide were found to have clustering of dengue cases.

The regions with the most number of cases were found in Central Luzon, SOCSARGEN, Southern Tagalog region, NCR and Central Visayas and Davao region.