Lapu-Lapu breaches dengue threshold

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City has breached the dengue epidemic threshold, while Cebu City and Mandaue City have crossed the alert threshold, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In its latest disease surveillance report covering the four-week period from July 5 to August 1, 2026, the DOH said Lapu-Lapu City was among the local government units nationwide that exceeded the epidemic threshold, alongside Mandaluyong City, La Union, Aurora, Albay, Camarines Norte, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Davao Oriental, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Abra and Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, Cebu City and Mandaue City joined Sorsogon and Davao de Oro in breaching the dengue alert threshold.

An alert threshold serves as an early warning for local governments and health officials to intensify surveillance and preparedness measures, while an epidemic threshold signals an active and widespread outbreak requiring urgent public health intervention.

Lapu-Lapu City recorded 151 dengue cases in July, including two deaths. Since January, the city has logged a total of 442 dengue cases.

Cebu City, meanwhile, had recorded 1,228 dengue cases and 10 deaths as of mid-July.

In Mandaue City, dengue cases increased by 6.8 percent during the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, based on data from the City Health Office.

From January 1 to July 30, Mandaue recorded 373 dengue cases, including one death.

Despite the localized surge in some areas, the DOH reported that dengue cases nationwide continued to decline.

The latest disease surveillance report showed that from January 4 to August 1, 2026, a total of 93,155 dengue cases were reported across the country, 46 percent lower than the 174,077 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.

The number of dengue-related deaths also declined, with 386 fatalities recorded this year compared with 699 during the same period last year.

Central Luzon posted the highest number of dengue cases at 16,057, followed by the National Capital Region with 10,611 and Calabarzon with 10,320. The Davao Region logged 7,537 cases, while the Zamboanga Peninsula recorded 6,124.

The DOH again urged the public to consistently practice the "4 Ts" to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, particularly during the rainy season.

“Practice taob (flip), taktak (shake/spill), tuyo (dry), and takip (cover) of all containers serving as potential mosquito breeding sites,” the DOH said.

The agency also advised individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever, rashes, muscle and eye pain, dizziness, and vomiting to immediately seek medical attention at the nearest health facility.

Dengue is an acute viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The disease primarily affects children and infants, although people of all ages remain susceptible to infection. (CEBU NEWS)