Philippines: dengue outbreak in Quezon City

Filipino health authorities are battling an escalating dengue outbreak in Quezon City. According to data from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance, there have been 1769 dengue cases between January 1 and February 14 – three times the number (609) recorded during the same period last year. There have also been 10 deaths. Children aged 5 to 17 are the most affected group, covering 58% of the reported cases. And 8 of the 10 victims were all under 18, including a 9-month-old baby girl. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte called on parents’ support to tackle the outbreak and protect the youngest members of the community. Meanwhile, epidemiologist Dr Rolando Cruz attributed the outbreak to the intermittent rains which created widespread pools of stagnant water, the ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
To address the critical situation, all 66 Quezon City health centres will be open during weekends to accommodate dengue patients, and free dengue test kits will be available in all health facilities across the town. Belmonte urged residents to look immediately for medical assistance if they experience fever and other dengue symptoms. Infectious disease expert Dr Rontgene Solante also invited parents to bring their children to the hospital if their fever does not subside within three days. The latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed a marked rise in dengue cases across all the Philippines. As of February 1, 28,234 cases have been reported, a 40% increase from the same period in 2024, with a fatality rate of 0.35%.