BAGUIO CITY — Hypertension has emerged as the leading cause of illness in the city for 2025, according to data from the City Health Services Office (CHSO).

The CHSO reported 10,705 cases of hypertension, translating to a rate of 2,775.90 per 100,000 population. Officials noted that hypertension, a lifestyle-related disease, is commonly linked to sedentary habits, poor diet, stress and lack of physical activity. This marks a significant shift from the past two years, when Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (AURTI) topped the list.

Individuals with dangerously high blood pressure may experience severe headaches, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, changes in vision and blood in the urine. Severe symptoms that require urgent medical attention include sudden, intense headaches, chest or back pain, difficulty breathing, sudden vision changes, numbness or weakness, difficulty speaking and confusion or drowsiness.

Following hypertension, AURTI ranked second with 9,000 reported cases. Dog and animal bites remained a persistent public health concern, coming in third with 3,992 cases. Diabetes mellitus ranked fourth with 2,829 cases, while pneumonia placed fifth with 2,760 cases.

Rounding out the top ten illnesses for 2025 were dental caries, endocrine and metabolic disorders, disorders of the teeth and supporting structures, other symptoms and abnormal clinical findings, and respiratory tuberculosis.

The new data shows a significant shift from previous years. In 2024, AURTI led with 21,431 cases (5,627.49 per 100,000 population), followed by dental caries with 11,442 cases. Hypertension ranked third with 9,732 cases, dog and animal bites fourth with 4,570 cases, and pneumonia fifth with 4,002 cases. In 2023, AURTI was also the most common illness with 10,059 cases, followed by dog bites (3,965), pneumonia (3,263), hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

CHSO chief Celia Flor Brillantes said the annual morbidity ranking helps the city refine health priorities, allocate resources and track emerging trends—particularly the rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases and the continuing threat of animal bites.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong emphasized the need for stronger community-based interventions targeting hypertension and diabetes, noting that the latest data underscores the urgency of preventive health practices.

The city government is also ramping up vaccination drives and public education initiatives to address respiratory diseases. Magalong urged residents to maintain healthy lifestyles, seek early medical consultation, practice responsible pet ownership and continue observing proper hygiene and safety protocols.