Philippines: dengue cases increase by 10% in Mandaue City

The Mandaue City Health Office (MCHO) has reported a 10% increase in dengue cases in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year. There has also been a recorded death. The update was shared by Dr. Frenzy Antonette Tadle, medical coordinator for Aedes-borne Viral Disease Prevention and Control, during a Task Force Dengue meeting in Mandaue City. As of May 7, 2025, the city has reported 248 cases and one death, a 10% rise compared to early 2024. The only death involved a young child from Barangay Centro, who passed away on March 17. Tadle said that the increase in cases was not unexpected and was relatively limited thanks to early cleanup efforts and strong awareness campaigns. She also urged anyone developing dengue-like symptoms to immediately seek medical attention, citing the delay in treatment as the main cause of the child’s death.
Tadle added that Mandaue City continues to strengthen its efforts to contain the spread of the disease and control the mosquito population. On this latter point, she emphasized the importance of environmental cleanliness to reduce the risk of infection. People should clean not only large containers like tires or buckets but also small ones like dispensers and dish racks to avoid the creation of mosquito breeding spots in their homes. During Dengue Awareness Month, which will start on June 10, city officials will highlight community-based dengue prevention actions, such as cleanup drives. Meanwhile, the MCHO will train its staff to identify and control dengue-carrying mosquitoes. According to Tadle, the goal of the training is to develop concrete plans to curb the spread of dengue in the city.