Garcia: No need to issue public health emergency for dengue

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the dengue cases in the city are already declining.

Garcia showed the media the recent data of the dengue cases in the city which showed that the numbers are on a downtrend since the first week of September. It has already reached its peak by logging the highest number of cases at 365.

Up until the present, the mayor said the cases are still on a plateau. He had a meeting with Cebu City Health Office Chief, Dr. Daisy Villa before announcing his decision to reporters.

“If you can look at the graph.. you will see that it is already on its way down. And therefore, it is no urgent reason for me to call on a public health emergency,” said Garcia.

Last September 6, 2024, health officials recommended a declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency following the surge of dengue cases which logged 597 cases.

Villa reported to the City Council last week that as of October 3, 2024, a total of 2831 dengue cases have been reported in Cebu City since January 2024. At least 17 deaths were also recorded

The health official said that the numbers showed an increase by 394 percent compared to the same period last 2023.

Garcia attributed the decline of the dengue trend to interventions being enacted, namely the barangay-to-barangay awareness campaign, misting, larvicide interventions, and blanket impregnation among others.

The same report also listed the top ten barangays with the most dengue cases, including Guadalupe at 240 dengue cases; Talamban with 168 cases; Apas with 126 cases; Lahug with 107 cases; Tisa with 105 cases; Pardo with 88 cases, Mabolo with 87 cases; Basak San Nicolas with 84 cases; Labangon with 81 cases; and Quiot with 77 cases. — (FREEMAN)