Dengue cases in Cebu near 4,000-mark

Local

CEBU Province has recorded 3,759 dengue cases and 21 deaths from January to Sept. 11, 2026, with health officials monitoring elevated transmission in several areas but not declaring a province-wide outbreak.

Public Health Consultant Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan said the province's 0.56 percent case fatality rate (CFR) means approximately six deaths for every 1,000 reported dengue cases.

She clarified that the 21 deaths did not occur in September alone but accumulated from January through Sept. 11, covering nine calendar months.

"To be clear, the 21 deaths did not occur in September alone. These were recorded cumulatively from January through September 11, spanning nine calendar months," Catalan said.

Cebu's dengue cases began increasing around week 25, based on Provincial Health Office surveillance data.

The province recorded its highest weekly count in morbidity week 33 with 478 cases.

It recorded 421 cases in week 32, 478 in week 33, 416 in week 34 and 292 in week 35.

As of Sept. 10, health authorities had recorded 46 cases in week 36.

However, Catalan said officials should not interpret the figure as a confirmed decline because the surveillance week remained incomplete.

Despite the increase, Cebu's weekly dengue cases remained below the established alert and epidemic thresholds from morbidity weeks 1 to 36.

Catalan explained that health officials determine an outbreak by comparing actual dengue cases in each morbidity week with the number normally expected for the same location and season based on historical thresholds.

"An outbreak is not declared based on the cumulative number of cases, the number of deaths, or a comparison with only the previous year," Catalan said.

Although 2026 recorded higher weekly dengue counts than several corresponding weeks in 2025, the figures did not cross the alert or epidemic thresholds, according to Catalan.

Based on the surveillance indicators, health officials have not declared a province-wide dengue outbreak. Instead, the province continues to monitor elevated dengue transmission and localized hotspots.

Since July 2, the province has operated Dengue Fast Lanes in all 16 Capitol-run provincial and district hospitals.

These lanes prioritize dengue assessment, early detection of warning signs, testing, monitoring, treatment and referral.

The Provincial Health Office has also assisted local government units with increased dengue cases through surveillance and entomological assessments, technical guidance, NS1 diagnostic kits, mosquito nets, treated netting, larvicides, misting chemicals, sprayers and

personal protective equipment.

The province conducts targeted misting in identified high-risk areas when surveillance data indicate the need.

However, health officials continue to emphasize the removal of stagnant water and destruction of mosquito-breeding sites as key community-level measures.

Doctors from all 16 Capitol-run hospitals also underwent a pediatric dengue case-management refresher led by pediatric intensivist Dr. Ramon Najarro and Department of Health Central Visayas Communicable Diseases Section Head Dr. RJ Buscato.

The training strengthened doctors' skills in early dengue recognition, fluid management, identification of warning signs, treatment of severe dengue and timely referral.

The province continues to maintain diagnostic and NS1 test kits, IV fluids, essential medicines and supportive-care supplies, along with 24/7 laboratory services, trained healthcare personnel and referral and patient-monitoring systems.

Catalan urged residents to seek medical attention early if they develop persistent fever or symptoms suggestive of dengue.

Health officials warned residents not to wait for bleeding, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, extreme weakness or loss of consciousness before seeking medical care.

Suspected dengue patients can use the Dengue Fast Lane at any Capitol-run provincial or district hospital.(MyTVCebu)