PHO: Cleanup key to stopping dengue, not misting

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) is calling on local government units (LGUs) and communities to intensify cleanup activities against dengue, stressing that eliminating mosquito-breeding sites should come before resorting to misting or fogging operations.

The call comes as dengue cases in Cebu Province continued to climb during the rainy season, with 2,324 cases and 17 deaths recorded from January to August 18.

During the “Hisgutan Ta!” media forum by Unilab last Thursday, August 27, Dr. Sheila Faciol of the PHO said the increase has been observed since July and was largely driven by rainy weather, which creates more areas where mosquitoes can breed.

“It's not in the canals, it's not in the estuaries, but on clean stagnant water,” Faciol said, adding that flower vases, gutters, water containers, and tanks are potential breeding sites.

With more rain producing stagnant water, Faciol said the priority should be to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs by removing these breeding areas.

The PHO activated its dengue council as early as July and began encouraging households, barangays, and LGUs to step up cleanup drives in areas where dengue cases were being recorded.

Faciol said dengue brigades were already in place in LGUs, but their activation varied depending on the presence of cases in particular areas.

The PHO is also pushing cleanup efforts in schools, where stagnant water can accumulate in toilets, water storage areas, and other facilities. Faciol said general cleaning activities have been conducted in schools to remove possible breeding grounds and prevent water from being left standing.

Under the province's dengue campaign, misting is considered a last resort rather than the first line of defense.

Faciol said affected areas must first conduct cleanup activities before misting is carried out. The measure may be used in specific areas, including schools, when there is a need to control mosquitoes.

The approach forms part of the 4S strategy against dengue, particularly the “Search and Destroy” component, which focuses on identifying and eliminating mosquito-breeding sites.

Among the areas reporting significant numbers of dengue cases were Talisay City, Toledo City, and Medellin town.

Faciol said Talisay had recorded 272 cases, while Toledo had 217, and Medellin had 182. The PHO has extended assistance to these areas to help contain the increase.

Faciol said the province's dengue cases were already higher compared with last year's figures, although she did not provide the comparative 2025 data during the briefing.

The PHO is also urging parents and caregivers to be vigilant when children develop fever.

Dengue testing is available at rural health units and the province's 16 government-owned hospitals. Faciol advised families to bring children with fever to the nearest health facility, particularly when the fever has persisted for three to five days.

The province is simultaneously monitoring leptospirosis, another rainy-season health concern. As of August 18, Cebu had recorded 72 leptospirosis cases since January.

Faciol advised residents exposed to floodwaters to wash thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention at the nearest health center as soon as possible. — (FREEMAN)