Government employees in Bacolod City join the nationwide initiative of the Department of Health to search and destroy mosquito breeding sites in this February 2025 photo. Photo: Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office
MANILA: The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday (Nov 22) reminded Filipinos to clean their surroundings and seek early medical care upon experiencing symptoms of dengue, as the agency reported over 14,000 cases of the illness over two weeks in October.
In an episode of dzMM Teleradyo, Health Promotion Bureau Director Tina Marasigan said the agency recorded 14,038 dengue cases from Oct 12 to 25, 2025. She noted that this was 8 per cent lower than the 15,182 tallied from Sept 28 to Oct 11, 2025.
She also said these cases were recorded before tropical cyclones Tino and Uwan hit the country, raising the possibility of stored water in containers becoming breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti, or the mosquito species known to carry dengue.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also said that while dengue cases are observed all year round, the agency monitors more dengue consultations during the rainy season and “ber” months (September to December).
He said the dengue cases and influenza-like illnesses may overlap during these seasons.
“The difference, you can get dengue from vector or mosquito bites. Mosquito bites increase (when water is) stored in containers during the rainy season. Vector control is the solution, once you decrease the number of mosquitoes, dengue cases will lessen,” Herbosa said in the same episode.
Marasigan stressed the importance of health measures to prevent contracting dengue.
“That’s why the agency is reminding the public not to be complacent and strengthen activities such as emptying water in containers, broken tires, trash cans, and others,” Marasigan said.
The agency urged the public to seek medical consultation when the following symptoms occur:
- Fever
- Rashes
- Body ache
- Headache and vomiting
Herbosa said dengue fast lanes were set up in DOH hospitals to easily accommodate patients showing dengue symptoms.
He added that hospitals have sufficient dengue test kits for diagnoses. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
