DoH warns of dengue spike after 'Basyang'

The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DoH-7) warned on Sunday that dengue cases could rise in the coming days following typhoon “Basyang,” as rains create more breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said dengue is present year-round but usually spikes during the rainy season.

“Dengue happens all year, but it increases when the rains come. The Visayas and Mindanao are now experiencing heavy rainfall because of the typhoon, so we may see more cases,” Herbosa said.

Despite the warning, the DoH noted a significant drop in dengue cases nationwide at the start of the year.

From 4 to 24 January 2026, a total of 7,471 cases were recorded — a 71 percent decrease compared to the 25,652 cases reported during the same period in 2025.

Herbosa credited the decline to the department’s intensified “Alas Kwarto Kontra Mosquito” campaign, which reminds households to regularly clean areas where mosquitoes can breed.

He urged the public to continue simple preventive steps such as removing stagnant water, keeping surroundings clean, wearing protective clothing, and using insecticides and mosquito repellents.

Dengue is a viral illness spread mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in stagnant water, especially in tropical areas.

The World Health Organization said dengue symptoms usually appear four to 10 days after infection and may last up to a week. These include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting, swollen glands and skin rashes.