The Department of Health (DOH) is calling on the public and local government units (LGUs) to strengthen mosquito control measures to curb the spread of dengue, warning that cases may increase as the rainy season approaches.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 11, the DOH warned that cases could spike as soon as the rains begin although dengue cases dropped by 10 percent from Feb. 2 to 15 (14,163 cases) compared to Jan. 19 to Feb. 1 (15,742 cases).
The agency stated that a total of 62,313 dengue cases were recorded from January 1 to March 1, a 73 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
It added that CALABARZON recorded the highest number of cases with 12,735, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 11,291, and Central Luzon with 10,185.
Despite the surge, the case fatality rate this year remains lower at 0.35 percent compared to 0.42 percent in 2024, the DOH reported.
According to DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, efforts should be made now to prevent Aedes mosquitoes—the primary carriers of dengue—from finding breeding grounds ahead of the rainy season, as they can multiply quickly in standing water.
“Samantalahin natin ang panahong ito para masiguro na walang pamumugaran ang lamok na Aedes pagdating ng tag-ulan. Tandaan, mabilis magparami ang lamok basta may tubig silang pamumugaran (Let us take advantage of this time to ensure that there are no breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes before the rainy season arrives. Remember, mosquitoes multiply quickly as long as they have water to breed in),” he said.
“Ang Aedes ay maaaring mangitlog ng abot isandaang (100) kiti-kiti. Sa loob lamang ng pito hanggang sampung (7-10) araw, maaari nang lumaki ang kiti-kiti at magkalat ng dengue (The Aedes mosquito can lay up to one hundred (100) eggs. In just seven to ten (7-10) days, the larvae can grow into adult mosquitoes and spread dengue).”
The health department continues to push for its “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” campaign, which promotes activities such as flipping over containers, draining stagnant water, drying wet areas, and covering water storage to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.