Dengue cases in Zamboanga City have soared by 42% from January 1 to May 17 this year compared to the same period in 2024, according to the City Heath Office (CHO).
Nonetheless, City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite in a press briefing at City Hall Wednesday, May 28, said the number has not breached the epidemic level alert thresholds for the past four morbidity weeks. However, historical trends show that the city tends to experience dengue outbreaks every two to three years, hence the need for continuous monitoring.
Miravite reported that a total of 742 dengue cases have been recorded as of Morbidity Week 20, surpassing the 524 cases reported during the same period in 2024. The majority of patients are children between the ages of 1 to 10, comprising 53% or 390 cases. There have also been recorded deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 0.40%.
The CHO continues to appeal to residents to remain vigilant and practice preventine/safety measures especially the 4S Strategy: (1) Search and Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites, (2) Seek Early Consultation, (3) Self-protect through the Use of Repellents, and Protective Clothing and (4) Support Fogging Operations in Hotspot Areas.
“We continue to monitor our dengue cases in Zamboanga City because our trends show that every 2 to 3 years, we have a dengue outbreak,” Dr. Miravite said, encouraging the residents to do their part in preventing further spread.
Barangays with the highest number of reported cases include Kasanyangan, San Roque and Talon-Talon, each with 30 cases. Meanwhile, Sta. Catalina, Baliwasan and Labuan are among the top barangays when ranked by attack rate per 10K population.
Clustering of cases defined as multiple dengue cases occurring within a four-week period has also been identified in eight barangays, of which Cawit, Sta. Catalina, and Kasanyangan each recorded five clusters, followed by Recodo, Sta. Maria and Sinunuc with four clusters each. Talon-Talon and San Roque recorded three clusters each.
Moreover, Dr. Miravite assures the public of continued surveillance, public education and coordinated efforts among health authorities in controlling dengue cases while protecting the health and safety of Zamboangueños.
Source: City Government of Zamboanga