QC dengue cases decrease

The local government of Quezon City on Thursday reported a significant 90 percent decrease in dengue cases, attributing the decline to its intensified multi-agency efforts to control the outbreak.

This comes as the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) of the Quezon City Health Department said dengue cases sharply fell from 626 recorded between 16 to 22 February to just 64 cases from 2 to 8 April.

“This continued decrease in dengue cases is very encouraging, but it is not a reason for us to be complacent,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement as she cited that unexpected rains during the summer can lead to water accumulation, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Following the decline, 123 barangays have been cleared from outbreak status. However, 19 barangays remain above the epidemic threshold, with localized areas still affected.

The city is continuing targeted interventions in these areas, including clean-up drives, fogging, spraying and larviciding in areas with clustered cases. Health centers in affected barangays will remain open on weekends.

“While we have already scaled down our interventions in barangays under low alert, we must continue to keep our communities clean and vigilant — especially when it comes to the health of our children,” Belmonte said.

All city health centers and hospitals have “fever express lanes” for individuals with dengue symptoms, and free dengue test kits are available.

CESD is encouraging residents to use mosquito repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing (especially for children), and regularly check for stagnant water in containers, old tires, flower pots and clogged drains.

Barangay health workers are also conducting dengue awareness campaigns and educational forums.