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CEBU City has seen a sharp increase in dengue cases this year, with 701 infections reported from January to April, a 155-percent increase from the 275 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Cebu City Health Department (CHD) chief Dr. Daisy Villa confirmed the surge of dengue cases this year but said there had been no reported deaths in the first four months of the year.
"Dili gyud ta maguol, kay ngano? Wa gyud tay death gikan sa January until now (Let's not be worried. Why? Because we haven't had any deaths from January until now)," Villa said during an interview on April 14.
Despite the spike, Villa assured that the dengue situation in the city remains manageable.
"We could not prevent the cases from going up, but we were able to prevent deaths," she said, crediting the prompt action of barangay health workers and hospital staff for the zero fatality count.
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Guadalupe, Basak San Nicolas, Lahug, Mambaling, Tisa and Basak Pardo have emerged as the barangay with the highest number of cases, with Guadalupe leading the list with 45 infections.
Villa said that the rise in cases is not unique to Cebu City, as other areas in Cebu province and Bohol are also experiencing similar trends.
She also noted that Cebu City's large population contributes to the higher infection rate compared to nearby cities like Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.
The CHD has reactivated its community fever surveillance system to detect clusters of fever and ensure early intervention.
Villa also said that dengue can spread not only during the rainy season but also in the dry months, cautioning the public to remain vigilant at all times.
"Dengue can thrive even in the heat. Just be careful," she said.
