Cleaning of the estero or canal, aside from fogging or misting, effectively mitigates Dengue cases in densely populated areas.
Valenzuela takes action to mitigate dengue cases
With Arlene Rivera
VALENZUELA City Mayor WES Gatchalian on Monday directed the Health Office to implement several actions to mitigate the increasing number of cases of Dengue.
Mayor Wes said the cornerstone of Dengue Prevention and Control is the effective vector control measures.
“This is through intensifying clean-up drive activities at the barangay level, prioritizing the 10 barangays where most cases were noted. It includes elimination and destroying potential breeding sites of mosquito vector or the search and destroy, along with the amplification of practicing the 5S strategies, the Search and Destroy, Self-Protect, Seek Consultation, Support Fogging in Outbreak Areas, and Sustain Hydration in the community with strict weekly monitoring and evaluation of the office,” the mayor added.
There were 273 Dengue cases and three deaths reported in the city between January 1 to January 31, which were received from different reporting institutions. This is 101 percent higher compared to the same period last year (136 cases) of which the majority were found in 10 barangays.
From February 1 to February 17, there were 83 cases and no death/s reported from different reporting institutions, which is 60 percent higher compared to the same period last year’s 52 percent.
“An increase in cases is still palpable. However, compared to the number of cases from January 1 to 31, 2025, there is a decrease in cases in the first two weeks of February which signifies the impact of the interventions applied which started in the first week of the same month,” Mayor Wes explained.
No Dengue outbreak in Manila
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna assured the public that there is no dengue outbreak in the city.
“Dahil daig ng maagap ang masipag, inatasan ko na po ang Manila Health Department, ang mga barangay officials, at ang mga ospital sa Maynila para paigtingin pa ang preventive measures kontra Dengue,” Mayor Lacuna stated.
Guided by the Dengue Surveillance Report by the Manila Health Department, the mayor instructed the MHD and the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to deploy additional anti-mosquito larvae (larvicide) kits to barangays where notable dengue cases had been observed. “We also have intensified misting operations,” Mayor Lacuna added.
“Klarong walang dengue outbreak sa Lungsod ng Maynila, as our case fatality rate stands at just 0.62 percent, and our attack rate is only 7.18. An attack rate of 10 to 100 per 10,000 population is considered high, particularly when sustained over time or occurring in a densely populated area,” the mayor explained.
The MHD said that out of 897 barangays, only 25 barangays showed a clustering of dengue cases, mostly from those aged 5 to 39 years old.
“Pinakamaraming kaso ng dengue sa District 1, 5, at 6. Apat ang naiulat na namatay at tatlo niyan ay nakatira sa District 3. Umabot sa 51 na barangay ang kailangang ipa-misting natin as of February 14,” Mayor Lacuna said.
She also instructed health center personnel, barangay health workers, nutrition scholars, and sanitation specialists to join the search-and-destroy against mosquitoes including vehicle tires on top of the roof and flower bases. “Diyan kasi naiipon ang mga tubig ulan at notoryus na pinangingitlugan ng mga dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” Lacuna said.
PRC assures enough blood supply for Dengue patients
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has assured a sufficient blood supply following the dengue outbreak in Quezon City and expects eight areas to declare a dengue outbreak by the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH reported an upward trend in cases—surpassing 28,000 as of February—Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.
The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) of the Quezon City Health Department reported a surge in dengue cases from January 1 to February 14, with 1,769 recorded—nearly a 200 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the DOH reported a 40 percent rise in nationwide cases, with a total of 28,234 cases logged.
PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang stressed the importance of blood donation as demand for blood is high during dengue outbreaks.
“I encourage everyone to make blood donation your lifestyle because this is not only good for your health, but it also helps save lives,” Dr. Pang said.
