IN WHAT APPEARS to be far from the usual, a disease which usually crops up during the rainy season surprisingly triggered an alarm too soon, for which the Department of Health (DOH) has expressed concern over what looks more like another outbreak in the making.
By his own admission, Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that at least nine areas in Luzon have posted a sharp increase of patients diagnosed with dengue, a virus transmitted by a particular type of mosquito – the Aedes aegypti.
Domingo declined to identify the nine localities but gave a hint, all areas could be found in Luzon — National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).
Dengue season in the Philippines starts at the onset of the rainy season which is usually in June and ends in October. Interestingly, the highest infection occurs in late August.
According to experts, temperature is a significant driver of dengue transmission.
IT’S DEADLY
In a study posted on the website of the National Library of Medicine, around half the world population is constantly at risk of being hit by the mosquito-borne disease, especially those in tropical countries like the Philippines.
Regardless of its symptoms (which could range from asymptomatic or mild febrile illness to severe dengue and, in some cases, death), dengue has long been a major public health problem in the Philippines. In fact, dengue has been on the government radar since 1958.
While previous data showed that dengue outbreaks are largely seasonal “with most episodes occurring during the wet season,” the same study claimed that the virus is endemic in all regions of the country.
A recent review of the epidemiology of dengue in the Philippines showed that the incidence rate of dengue was highest among children of five to14 years of age, with over 80 percent of dengue-related deaths occurring among individuals of less than 20 years of age.
RISING NUMBERS
The DOH in October last year recorded a whopping 82 percent increase in the confirmed cases of dengue as compared to the first nine months of 2023.
As per 2024 data, the DOH confirmed dengue infections stood at 314,785 which is more than double the 147,678 cases recorded in 2023. There were also 3,000 recorded deaths due to dengue, which is equivalent to a little more than 10 percent case fatality rate – the highest in Southeast Asia.
Notable in the DOH report is a portion which claimed to have recorded a drop in the number of confirmed dengue infections in all regions in the country except for Metro Manila.
To date, the Philippines faces a dire challenge with a new surge in dengue cases, compelling healthcare professionals (HCPs) to advocate for sustained prevention and innovative solutions.
For one, there is no scientifically-proven cure for dengue, but there are ways to keep the virus manageable through a government intervention embarking on anti-dengue vaccination.
NO VACCINE YET?
For one, there is no scientifically-proven cure for dengue, but there are ways to keep the virus manageable through a government intervention embarking on anti-dengue vaccination. In this case, the government then had no other option but Dengvaxia to address what has become a major health concern.
However, the noble plan to save thousands of kids’ lives and prevent an estimated 10,000 hospitalizations over a five-year period fizzled out after“immunizing” some 800,000 schoolchildren in a haste.
Then came the news which blamed Sanofi (which manufactured Dengvaxia) for the dengue infection contracted by 1,967 out of the 3,281 individuals after taking the “shots.”
There were also reports of deaths due to Dengvaxia for which charges were against top government officials – including former Health Secretary (now Congresswoman) Janette Garin for multiple homicide.
Since then, vaccine hesitancy has become a major concern in many other government immunization programs.
OUTBREAK IN QC
Without blinking an eye, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, through the local health office, declared a dengue outbreak as cases continue to surge in the city, even as she ordered the mobilization of all assets and resources to curb the outbreak.
From January 1 to February 14, 2025, the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) of QCHD recorded 1,769 dengue cases, nearly 200 percent higher than last year.
Of these cases, 10 died due to dengue. The same data showed 58 percent involve school-aged children (5 to 17 years old), while 44 percent are children ages one to 10.
BARANGAY FRONTLINE
One basic element for an effective approach against mosquito borne diseases is early detection through the health centers under the supervision of over 42,000 barangay units.
In the past, teams were dispatched to conduct chemical controls like spraying and fogging in areas with clustering of Dengue Cases to kill adult mosquitoes, and larviciding in water bodies. However, barangay units can’t do it alone.
Residents may consider heeding to the Do’s and Don’ts, which include:
- Using mosquito repellant, if possible, and wearing personal protective clothing like long sleeves and long pants, especially for the kids.
- Emptying used containers, tires, pots, and other items that collect water. Standing water stuck in these items can serve as a breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
- Ensure that there is no stagnant water in their houses or drainage systems.
TRIVIAL SOLUTION
In Mandaluyong City, Barangay Addition Hills cited the need for something that would suffice the government’s anti-dengue campaign while providing some sort of livelihood through its program “May Piso sa Mosquito.”
According to village chief Carlito Cerlan, such an approach would somehow reduce — if not eliminate risks of being contaminated with dengue virus.
However, not all seemed amenable as such “trivial pursuit” may put the local folks at risk in view of an exposure to virus-carrying mosquitoes.
Cerlan said residents can either bring mosquitoes and their larvae (kiti-kiti) dead or alive in exchange for coins. One peso will be given to a barangay resident for every five mosquitoes or larvae they bring.
