Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon top ‘dengue hot spots’

GRASS ROOTS ACTION Barangay personnel join a cleanup drive in Quezon City against dengue. —LYN RILLON

The Department of Health (DOH) continues to record more dengue cases but fewer deaths compared to last year.

Latest data released by the DOH showed 14,460 dengue cases from Jan. 26 to Feb. 8, which is seven percent lower than the 15,500 cases reported from Jan. 15 to Jan. 25.

The 52,008 total cases as Feb. 22 this year is 6.4 percent higher than the cases recorded during the same period in 2024, the DOH said.

The DOH said children aged four years and below also comprise 56 percent of the total cases as of Feb. 22.

Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon account for 55.2 percent, or 28,713, of the 52,008 cases so far this year.

Nevertheless, the DOH said the case fatality rate so far this year is 0.36 percent, compared to 0.43 percent in the same period last year.

Barangay personnel at work during the Philippine Red Cross BEAT Dengue Nationwide Simultaneous Clean Up Drive at selected sites in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City which has a high number of dengue cases in the city. In photo are staff discarding stagnant water into a canal and an old tire removed from one household as it can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes if filled with liquid. —LYN RILLON

The DOH said some of the reasons behind the decline include early consultation and detection, as well as quicker response to dengue patients’ needs so that their illness will not worsen anymore.

The department called on the public to wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants, use insect-repellants, sleep inside mosquito nets, and avoid mosquito-infested areas.

The DOH recently launched, in partnership with local governments, the “Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip” campaign as part of the “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” program, which aims to clear areas with stagnant water where mosquitos lay eggs.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa called on the public not to ignore dengue symptoms, such as high fever, rashes, body aches, nausea and pain in the back of the eyes.

He said those experiencing symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.