THE WORST may still be ahead — a potential dengue surge is on the horizon.
Yes, you read that right.
No less than the Department of Health (DOH) has warned of an imminent nationwide dengue outbreak.
Why?
Recent data covering an eight-week period from January to February 2025 recorded 52,008 dengue cases and 186 deaths across the country — a deeply alarming trend.
In response, on February 28, the DOH reactivated the Task Force Dengue (TFD) and appointed Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral as its head.
Maestral, an Ilongga from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, is married to a Negrense and previously served as chief of Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Kudos to Dra. Maestral for stepping up to this crucial role.
On March 4, I spoke with Maestral over the phone. She emphasized that, given the recent trend in dengue cases nationwide, the DOH is now bracing for a possible resurgence—similar to what happened in 2019, when the country saw its worst dengue outbreak in history.
That year, the health department recorded 437,563 dengue cases—the highest since dengue became endemic in the Philippines in 1954.
With this alarming trajectory, the big question is: Are we ready this time?
NO JOKE
The DOH’s strongest indicator of an impending surge this year is its January to February 2025 consolidated report—52,008 dengue cases and 186 deaths nationwide.
Statistically speaking, Maestral noted that the current death toll is 38% higher than the 135 fatalities recorded during the same eight-week period last year.
Meanwhile, the 52,008 reported dengue cases reflect a 64% increase compared to 31,670 cases recorded from January to February 2024.
“This is no longer a joke—it’s truly alarming,” Maestral emphasized.
“Thus, we at the DOH must stay one step ahead by launching a massive anti-dengue campaign.”
She likened the situation to an approaching typhoon, saying that they can already see the head of the surge forming for the current year.
According to Maestral, dengue follows a three-to-five-year cycle, a pattern observed through scientific and medical studies.
In preparation, the DOH has pre-positioned dengue response supplies as early as February, ensuring the early distribution of vital commodities to areas already reporting high dengue cases.
These dengue commodities include NS1 testing kits, dextrose solutions, essential medicines, treated screens, and fogging agents such as larvicides and adulticides, among others.
The DOH has assured that these will be distributed nationwide as soon as possible.
4T KONTRA DENGUE
Leading the list of regions with the highest number of dengue cases since January are the National Capital Region (NCR), followed by Region 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon or Calabarzon) and Region 3 (Central Luzon).
Western Visayas, according to Maestral, has not yet reached the alarming threshold.
However, in Negros Occidental, Provincial Health Officer Girlie Pinongan reported 1,012 dengue cases and six deaths recorded across 31 towns and cities from January 1 to February 22—a staggering 421.65% increase compared to only 194 cases during the same period last year.
Topping the list of dengue-hit areas in Negros Occidental are the cities of Bago and La Carlota—both of which are also affected by the ongoing Kanlaon Volcano crisis.
According to the Provincial Health Office, Bago City recorded 209 cases, while La Carlota logged 74 cases.
Other areas with significant dengue cases include: Kabankalan City – 70 cases; San Carlos City – 67 cases; Silay City – 58 cases; Cauayan – 46 cases; Pulupandan – 45 cases; Talisay City – 42 cases; Hinigaran – 36 cases; and Isabela – 33 cases.
Meanwhile, aside from the traditional 4S strategy (Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, Secure self-protection, Seek early consultation, and Say yes to fogging), the DOH has introduced a new anti-dengue advocacy—the 4T strategy (Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip).
According to Maestral, 4T focuses specifically on eliminating breeding grounds of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito species responsible for dengue transmission.
While the 4S strategy remains the general anti-dengue prevention campaign—which also includes treatment—the 4T strategy zeroes in on mosquito habitat destruction to prevent outbreaks.
To ensure swift response, Maestral said she will personally travel across the country this week to monitor the setup of dengue fast lanes in public and private hospitals, ensuring that even mild cases, such as simple fever, receive immediate medical attention.
INCURABLE
Simply put, dengue remains incurable.
As of now, there is no specific medicine that can directly cure dengue.
Treatment mainly involves supportive care, such as adequate fluid intake—including water and energy-boosting drinks—to help prevent dehydration and alleviate symptoms.
Some people turn to traditional remedies, such as tawa-tawa leaves or young papaya leaves, which are squeezed and mixed with drinking water for dengue patients.
In certain localities, massive distribution of frogs (“paka”) has also been employed as an anti-dengue measure, based on the belief that frogs help control mosquito populations by feeding on them.
However, Maestral cautioned that relying on frogs alone is not enough to combat dengue.
“Yes, frogs eat mosquitoes, but not in significant numbers to make a real impact,” she explained.
Ultimately, clean surroundings remain the best defense against dengue.
“There is still no substitute for cleanliness,” Maestral emphasized. “It’s as simple as that.”
After all, while mosquito bites may seem small, they can have severe consequences—even costing lives.
Thus, maintaining a clean environment is the key to avoiding the “devil’s bite” of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Because in the end, cleanliness is not just about human health—it is essential for the well-being of the entire ecosystem.
So, breathe clean, live happy, go green./PN
