Aedes Aegypti mosquito. CDC

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) continues to urge the public to ensure cleanliness in communities even after an observed week-on-week decline in the number of the dengue cases in the Philippines.

Health spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that compared to the 15,742 infections from January 15 to February 1, state epidemiologists have noted a 10 percent decline in cases or 14,163 infections from February 2 to 15.

The decline comes weeks after dengue was once again put under the spotlight due to Quezon City’s declaration of an outbreak and the notable rise in infections in other areas of the country. 

Mandaluyong barangay offers P1 for every 5 mosquitoes, larvae caught

Some local government units even employed innovative ways to mitigate the spread of the disease, though lacking evidence of its effectiveness.

The DOH has since reiterated that the most effective way to combat dengue is vector-control.

“Maaaring nakikita na natin ang simula ng ating Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito. Vector control talaga ang ating panlaban dito,” he said.  

(It’s also likely that we are seeing the effects of DOH’s 4 o’clock clean up campaigns in communities.)

Despite the observed decrease per week, the total number of infections remains to be higher compared to 2024. 

From January 1 to March 1 this year, over 62,000 dengue cases have been confirmed. This is still 73 percent higher compared to the 36,000 infections during the same period in 2024.

So far, the regions of Calabarzon, National Capital Region and Central Luzon still account for most of the dengue cases in the country.

Domingo said this should serve as a reminder that dengue is no longer just a disease which occurs during the middle to the latter part of the year.

“Akala natin sobrang mainit the whole week. Pero makikita natin na nagkaroon ng pag ulan-ulan, intertropical convergence zones at shear lines. So hindi mo na talaga masasabi na dengue is only for June onwards.” 

(We thought the entire week would be hot. But we saw that it rained from time to time, there were ITCZs and shear lines. So we really can no longer say that dengue happens only from June onwards.)

To better manage patients, the DOH has ordered hospitals to activate dengue fast lanes where those exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease will be prioritized to ensure their illness is managed immediately. 

“The dengue fast lane is a triage concept. If a doctor sees signs of dengue, that patient is fast-tracked especially for blood count. Aside from fever, if the patient has headache or feels pain behind the eye sockets, they will be tested for dengue.”

The DOH continuously urges the public to seek early consultation should they experience any symptoms of dengue especially since state insurer PhilHealth has increase dengue benefit packages.

Based on a PhilHealth circular, patients who will be hospitalized for severe dengue may avail of up to P47,000 from the previous package of P16,000. 

Patients with mild dengue can also avail of the PhilHealth package worth P19,000.

Through its program “May piso sa mosquito” (Peso in exchange for mosquitoes), Barangay Addition Hills hopes to gradually eliminate aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread the virus.

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