2 deaths in Cebu dengue surge: 5 LGUS monitored

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) has placed five local government units (LGUs) under close monitoring after recording two deaths and the highest number of dengue cases in the past four weeks.

According to PHO monitoring, Toledo City logged the highest number of confirmed dengue cases with 49, followed by Barili with 39, Talisay City, 34; Consolacion, 33; and Carcar City, 19.

Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said dengue remains one of the primary diseases being closely monitored by health authorities during the rainy season, along with leptospirosis.

"In rainy season, two things jud among gibantayan ang dengue and leptospirosis," Catalan said.

She said the figures were based on the PHO's own surveillance system and not on the Department of Health's (DOH-7) regional monitoring.

She also disclosed that the province has recorded two dengue-related deaths during the monitoring period, one each in Consolacion and Compostela.

Overall, the PHO has recorded 132 confirmed dengue cases across Cebu Province.

Based on PHO data, children and young people remain the most affected age groups.

The highest number of dengue cases has been recorded among individuals aged six to 10 years old, followed by those between 11 and 20 years old.

Despite the recorded cases, Catalan clarified that the current situation has not reached the level of a dengue outbreak.

"Dili pa hinoon ni matawag nga outbreak," she said.

She likewise said the figures are not yet considered alarming but are enough to warrant close monitoring.

The PHO has already started interventions in areas showing increasing cases.

Catalan said a provincial health team was deployed to Barili two weeks ago to conduct testing and misting activities as part of the office's response measures.

" So nagbantay gud mi. We're looking after that," she said.

She emphasized that dengue is largely preventable through proper environmental sanitation.

According to Catalan, mosquitoes that transmit dengue breed in clean but stagnant water, making it important for households to regularly inspect their surroundings and eliminate possible breeding sites.

Catalan also encouraged local government units to maintain their own monitoring systems and strengthen community-based clean-up drives.

"It would be good for LGUs pud nga magbantay sila sa own numbers. Advocacy lang pud nga dapat manglimpyo para maka-prevent nga ingon ana," she added.

Catalan reminded the public that dehydration is among the most dangerous complications of dengue infection.

"Ang atong kuyawan sa dengue kay dehydration and can lead to shock. So dapat early detection jud," she said.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which usually bite during the daytime.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, and mild bleeding such as nose or gum bleeding.

The DOH advises the public to seek immediate medical consultation when experiencing persistent high fever, especially if accompanied by warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, difficulty breathing, extreme weakness, or signs of dehydration, as these may indicate severe dengue requiring urgent medical attention.

To reduce the risk of infection, the DOH continues to promote the "4S" strategy against dengue: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; Self-protection by wearing protective clothing and using mosquito repellents; Seek early consultation for fever and other symptoms; and Support spraying or fogging only in hotspot areas when an outbreak is declared or when recommended by health authorities. (CEBU NEWS)