Health authorities in the Cordillera region are sounding the alarm on the persistent threat of dengue, which has now become a year-round concern. The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) reported a staggering 211 percent increase in dengue cases in 2024, with the total number reaching 30,350 compared to 9,769 cases the previous year. This surge has also led to 46 fatalities, a significant rise from the 10 deaths recorded in 2023.
Victoria Malicdan, a nurse at the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of DOH-CAR, emphasized the need for continuous vigilance. ‘Dengue is no longer seasonal; it’s a constant threat that requires us to stay alert all year,’ she stated during a recent press briefing. She highlighted that the region saw cases throughout the year, with the highest numbers reported in August.
The breakdown of cases across the region shows Benguet leading with 11,011 cases and 15 deaths, followed by Baguio with 8,674 cases and 19 deaths. Other provinces reported significant numbers as well: Mountain Province with 3,492 cases and five deaths, Kalinga with 2,527 cases and one death, Ifugao with 2,176 cases and one death, Apayao with 1,938 cases and four deaths, and Abra with 532 cases and one death.
Malicdan also noted that 42 percent of the cases, totaling 12,604 patients, required hospital admission. She urged the public to maintain cleanliness and wear protective clothing to combat the spread of dengue.