In Cebu City: Dengue toll triples

CEBU, Philippines — Dengue-related deaths in Cebu City have climbed to 20, more than tripling the six fatalities recorded during the same period last year.

The City Health Department reported 2,456 cases from January to September 5, up sharply from 1,485 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.

Kenneth Siasar, chief of staff of Mayor Nestor Archival, admitted the gravity of the situation during a press briefing at City Hall yesterday.

“Since January until now, we have 2,456 cases. In comparison sa last year, the same month, January to September, we have 1,484. So karon taas-taas, 2,456. Ug na, ang atong mortality, kani atong death, um, since January until now, we have 20 deaths as reported sa City Health Department. Compared to last year, January to September, six ra ang atong death nga cases,” Siasar said.

Hospital data from the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) showed 844 dengue cases between January 1 and September 13, including 297 admissions and 547 consultations.

CCMC recorded 16 deaths, while the City Health Department’s higher tally of 20 includes cases reported by private hospitals.

Siasar attributed the rise in cases and deaths partly to lapses in household sanitation.

“We are unable to sustain ang pagpanglimpyo sa atong palibot. Ang source sa lamok sa dengue na-a sa gawas, but na-a pod kini sa sulod… flower vases, drums, PVC pipes with stagnated water puy-an pod na siya’g nguyonguyo,” he said.

Children remain particularly vulnerable, with several fatalities involving young patients.

“Ang vulnerable jud kanang dili kayo makaprotect sa ilang kaugalingon, especially mga bata nga bisan asa lang magduwa,” Siasar noted, adding that elderly residents and office workers have also been affected.

The city government has intensified misting operations, including inside City Hall after an employee contracted dengue.

Siasar said Archival instructed health teams not to wait for requests from barangays but to act based on surveillance data.

“Kung mahimo, we are not to wait for the request coming from the different barangays, but we have to look into asa ni mga barangaya ang mas taas ang kaso sa dengue and then atong i-intensify,” he said.

The barangays with the highest dengue caseloads include Guadalupe, Lahug, Basak San Nicolas, Tisa, Labangon, Talamban, Mambaling, Kalunasan, and Punta Princesa, as well as Apas, which is tied with Sambag II and Tejero.

Prevention

The Department of Health and the World Health Organization identify dengue as a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands and rash.

Severe dengue can cause abdominal pain, persistent vomiting and bleeding and may be fatal.

The DOH promotes the “4S” strategy: Search and destroy breeding sites, Self-protection, Seek early consultation, and Support fogging or misting when necessary.

In Central Visayas, the “4Ts” campaign — Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip — is also being emphasized to eliminate stagnant water and keep water containers covered.

Archival announced late last week that Cebu City is moving forward with the World Mosquito Program’s Wolbachia Method as a complementary dengue-prevention strategy.

“We are moving forward with the implementation of the World Mosquito Program’s (WMP) Wolbachia Method as a complementary dengue-prevention strategy in Cebu City. Pinaagi sa Office and team ni Dr. Michelle Abella-Cellona, atong gipalig-on ang coordination and preparation for the program, kauban ang Cebu City Health Department (CHD), World Mosquito Program, ug ang atong Liga ng mga Barangay (ABC),” Mayor Archival said.

Through a newly organized Technical Working Group (TWG) under Executive Order No. 109, Series of 2026, the city government is aligning the plans, technical requirements, community engagement and coordination needed for the program’s implementation.

“Importante nga maampingon ug well-coordinated ang matag step as we work toward preventing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases and protecting the health of our communities. Padayon ta sa pagtinabangay para sa mas healthy ug mas safe nga Cebu City,” Archival added. — (FREEMAN)