TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines - A total of 29 people have died from dengue fever in Eastern Visayas, the regional health department said Thursday.

Boyd Roderick Cerro, sentinel nurse of Eastern Visayas' health department, said that the 29 deaths are included in the 2,797 dengue cases reported from January to June 18.

Cerro said the figure translates to a 600% increase compared to the 400 cases reported during the same period last year.

He added that it is also higher compared to the 1,200 cases with 8 deaths recorded in the region throughout 2009.

Cerro said they are expecting the number of cases to increase further because of the onset of the rainy season this month.

He said they have already set up additional reporting units around the region to closely monitor the communities affected by dengue fever.