LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Benguet Provincial Health Office is urging residents to take precautions against dengue fever, especially during the rainy season, after a recent death was reported.

A 37-year-old man from the municipality of Itogon is the latest victim of the disease. This follows the death of a four-year-old girl from Tuba last month due to a severe dengue infection.

According to the Provincial Health Office, there were 15 new dengue cases recorded from 27 July to 2 August, bringing the total number of cases for the year to 1,217. This is a 70 percent decrease from the 4,106 cases reported during the same period in 2024.

Data from the Benguet Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit shows that Itogon has the highest number of cases with 354, followed by La Trinidad with 206 and Tublay with 146.

Health officials are reminding the public to practice the “4S” strategy: search and destroy mosquito breeding places, seek early consultation, use self-protection measures and support fogging or spraying.

They also recommend the “4T” (Taob, Taktak, Tuyo and Takip) method, which involves turning over, draining, drying and covering water containers.