NAGA CITY – Due to the rising number of dengue cases all over Bicol, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) has declared a “code blue” alert across the region on Friday, 18 September, the agency said in a belated advisory on Monday, 21 September.
NAGA CITY – Due to the rising number of dengue cases all over Bicol, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) has declared a “code blue” alert across the region on Friday, 18 September, the agency said in a belated advisory on Monday, 21 September.
The DOH-CHD Bicol issued Regional Memorandum 2026-0165, which formally raised the “code blue” alert, in order to strengthen preparedness and response measures in local government units (LGUs) experiencing the rise in dengue cases.
The alert was raised after the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit recorded a total of 2,167 dengue cases from 1 January to 5 September, which is a 19 percent rise compared to data from the same period last year.
The agency also noted on Thursday, 17 September, that overall dengue bed utilization rate in Bicol has reached 107 percent as hospitals struggle to accommodate dengue patients.
Under this “code blue” alert, all DOH hospitals, provincial DOH offices, Health Emergency Management Services Point Persons, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management health coordinators are mandated to “maintain heightened vigilance and preparedness and submit flash reports on dengue-related incidents and health emergencies.”
The memorandum also instructs Public Health Preparedness and Response Units to conduct active monitoring of dengue-related events and coordinate with LGUs, health facilities, and partner agencies to ensure a unified response.
Communities were also reminded to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing dengue transmission by practicing the DOH’s 4S strategy which stands for: “search and destroy” mosquito breeding sites, “seek early consultation” when symptoms appear, “self-protect” against mosquito bites, and “support” fogging or spraying in hotspots where there is clustering of dengue cases and outbreak areas.
