BAGUIO City—Health officials here reported that dengue cases in the city increased by 646 percent last year compared to the 2023 figure.
Kimberly Sibayan, medical surveillance officer of the city epidemiology and surveillance unit, said Baguio had 9688 dengue cases logged last year compared to 1,299 cases registered during the previous year.
Sibayan also disclosed that dengue-related deaths posted a 533-percent hike with 19 fatalities recorded in 2024 as opposed to only three in 2023.
She said the age range of the dengue afflicted individuals was 1-97 with a median of 23.
Sibayan also said of the 19 dengue-related deaths last year, 11 were males while eight were females.
Among the top ten city barangays with reported dengue cases last year were Irisan, Bakakeng Central, Asin Road, Pacdal, Camp 7, Bakakeng Norte/Sur, Sto. Tomas Proper, Loakan Proper, San Luis Village, and Gibraltar.
Local health authorities earlier declared that dengue is now a year-round illness and people should always observe the various measures that had been aggressively promoted to prevent acquiring the illness, like taking self-protection measures, seeking early consultation, and resisting fogging.
The people were reminded to keep their residences and premises clean by getting rid of the breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, such as clear and stagnant water to avoid an outbreak that might compromise their health.
Dengue fever often results in high fever aside from severe headache, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, swollen glands, and rashes.
Moreover, people infected with dengue for a second time increase their risk to serious symptoms which may be life-threatening and needed immediate medical attention.
