Dengue cases in Cebu City shoot up

Local

CEBU City is seeing a sharp increase in dengue infections this year, with cases climbing to 2,456 as of September, about 66% higher than during the same period in 2025.

The Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) recorded 1,484 cases from January to September last year, compared with the 2,456 cases logged this year.

Deaths have also increased, reaching 20 this year from only six in 2025, according to the latest CHD figures.

Kenneth Siasar, chief of staff of Mayor Nestor Archival, released the figures during a press conference on Monday, Sept. 14.

The city’s figures cover cases reported to the CHD, including those from private hospitals, Siasar said.

At the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), 844 patients had been recorded as of Sept. 13. This included 297 admissions and 547 consultations.

CCMC separately reported 16 dengue-related deaths during the same period.

Siasar said the increase points to a persistent problem that starts where people least expect it—in and around their homes.

He cited stagnant water in uncovered buckets, drums and other containers, as well as water left beneath storage drums, flower vases and bathroom drainage areas, as possible mosquito breeding sites.

“We are unable to sustain sa pagpanglimpyo sa atong palibot. And then, ang atong gitan-aw [ra] baya nga ang

source sa lamok sa dengue naa [ra] sa gawas, but naa [sab] kini sa sulod. Kanang atoa balde, atong baril unya walay tabon, puy-an baya na,” Siasar said, referring to breeding areas that can also be found inside homes.

He said maintaining cleanliness at the barangay level remains a challenge, particularly when communities fail to regularly remove stagnant water.

Children remain among those most vulnerable to dengue, Siasar said, particularly because they spend time playing in areas where mosquitoes may be present.

The city had earlier moved to strengthen its dengue response after the CHD reported a shortage of functional equipment for mosquito-control operations.

The City Council subsequently approved ₱9.39 million from the city’s Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. fund for additional dengue-control supplies, equipment and medicines.

The funding included support for additional spray machines to help sustain vector-control operations across Cebu City.(TGP)