BY: JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR
The Department of Health (DOH) has raised concerns over the increasing number of dengue cases in the Cordillera region, prompting discussions on a possible outbreak declaration.
One of the victims, Zed Santos, initially dismissed his fever in December last year, not realizing it was a symptom of dengue.
“My knees felt weak, I had migraines, and I didn’t know I had dengue,” Santos recalled.
His child also contracted the virus, experiencing fever, nosebleeds, and other severe symptoms that led to a three-day hospital confinement.
Since January, the DOH-Cordillera has recorded 997 dengue cases, surpassing the 910 cases reported during the same period last year.
“Discarded tires, when not properly disposed of, can become mosquito breeding grounds, especially with occasional rains during summer. This has contributed to the sudden rise in dengue cases,” explained Jessica Guibong, an entomologist with the DOH’s vector-borne disease prevention program.
Health officials warn that some provinces may soon declare a dengue outbreak if cases continue to rise.
“We must take immediate action before cases exceed the epidemic threshold,” said Engr. Benelyne Balag-ey, a nurse from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit.
To address the surge, the DOH has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2025-0019, which mandates the establishment or reactivation of dengue fast lanes in all government and private hospitals in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
“We expect all provinces and cities to comply,” said Guibong.
“Every hospital must have a dengue fast lane,” added Balag-ey.
Authorities continue to remind the public to follow the 4S strategy and participate in the “4 o’clock habit” to combat dengue.
