QUEZON CITY DECLARES DENGUE OUTBREAK

THE Quezon City government on Saturday declared a dengue outbreak after cases increased by 200 percent from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, in a statement, said the declaration of a dengue outbreak aims to ensure that they are on top of the situation.

She said they are doing everything they can to protect the residents from the deadly disease, especially the children.

From January 1 to February 14, 2025, the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) of Quezon City recorded a total of 1,769 cases  or  nearly 200% higher than last year.

The statement from the local government stated that eight of the 10 fatalities were minors.

Based on the cases reported, 58% are school-age children 5 to 17 years old while 44% are children aged 1 to 10.

“Mga bata ang karamihan sa mga nagiging biktima ng nakamamatay na sakit na ito. Kaya nananawagan ako sa mga kapwa ko magulang na sama-sama nating protektahan ang ating mga anak laban sa dengue,” Belmonte said.

The mayor urged parents to monitor and observe the health conditions of their children and join the clean-up drives.

She said all health centers in the city will be opened during the weekends to address the late diagnosis of dengue.

Free dengue test kits are also available in health centers and hospitals.

“QCitizens, kung may nararamdaman na kayong sintomas ng dengue tulad ng lagnat, sakit ng ulo, at pananakit ng kasu-kasuan, pumunta na kayo agad sa pinakamalapit na health center sa inyong lugar,” the Quezon City mayor said.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government has issued reminders asking residents to take precautions against dengue.

This include the use of mosquito repellent, the wearing of protective clothing such as long sleeves and long pants, and eliminating stagnant water from containers, tires and drainage systems.

Last Friday, the Department of Health reported a spike in dengue cases, with  28,234 r cases reported as of February 1, 2025. The number is 40-percent  hinger that the previous year.