Dengue cases drop in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Months after the declaration of an outbreak, cases of dengue in Quezon City have dropped by around 90 percent, the local government said.

In a statement, the city hall said 123 barangays have already been cleared from the dengue outbreak.

Data from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division showed that only 64 cases were recorded in the first week of April – a huge drop from the 626 cases between Feb. 16 to 22 when the outbreak was at its peak.

“This continued decrease in dengue cases is very encouraging, but it is not a reason for us to be complacent,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“The changing climate, especially the unexpected rains during summer, means that water can easily accumulate in uncovered containers, creating breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” Belmonte added.

Nineteen barangays are still within the epidemic threshold, but the city noted that only specific areas within them are still affected.

Belmonte said the local government continues to conduct targeted interventions in these areas, including intensified cleanup drives and fogging.

“While we have already scaled down our interventions in barangays under low alert, we must continue to keep our communities clean and vigilant, especially when it comes to the health of our children,” Belmonte added.