The Bohol Provincial Government has declared a province-wide dengue outbreak after the number of cases remained above the epidemic threshold for five consecutive weeks, with health officials expressing concern over the rising number of deaths from the disease.
Governor Erico Aristotle ‘Aris’ Aumentado signed Executive Order No. 10, Series of 2026, declaring a dengue outbreak throughout Bohol and directing local government units (LGUs) to intensify prevention, surveillance and response measures.
The declaration followed the recommendation of the Bohol Provincial Local Health Board, which reviewed the province’s epidemiological data and the capacity of local health facilities to manage the increasing cases. As of Aug. 22, Bohol had recorded 1,883 dengue cases and 20 deaths, according to provincial health officials during a media briefing on Friday morning, Aug. 28, 2026.
The case count was 7 percent higher than the same period last year.
Dr. Fruserma Mary Uy, department head of the Bohol Provincial Health Office, said the increase in cases alone appeared comparable with last year’s figures, but the number of fatalities was a major concern.
‘Last year, with the same number of cases, we only had 5 deaths. [But now] with the same number of cases, we have 20 deaths,’ Uy said.
The province’s case fatality rate (CFR) has reached 1.17 percent, above the Department of Health’s acceptable level of below 1 percent, she said.
The executive order noted that the province had surpassed the dengue epidemic threshold for three consecutive weeks based on the data available when it was prepared. It also cited the recommendation of the Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Central Visayas Center for Health Development and the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.
The order requires LGUs to strictly implement the enhanced 4S strategy against dengue, reactivate their local dengue task forces and conduct ‘Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue’ activities.
Households, schools and communities will also be mobilized to conduct regular searches for and destruction of mosquito breeding sites through the 4 o’clock habit.
Confirmed dengue cases identified through NS1 and PCR testing are to undergo the 1-3-7 intensified vector-control strategy, while city and municipal health offices and hospitals are directed to establish Dengue Fast Lanes to speed up consultation and management of patients.
LGUs are likewise required to ensure proper referral of patients, allocate funds for essential dengue prevention and control supplies, and coordinate with government agencies, partners and other stakeholders.
The provincial anti-dengue task force will also be reconstituted and strengthened.
12 LGUs breach epidemic threshold
Niel John Oclarit, development management officer IV of the Provincial Department of Health Office-Bohol, said 12 of Bohol’s 48 LGUs have already surpassed the dengue epidemic threshold for three consecutive weeks.
These LGUs may also declare a local dengue outbreak, officials said.
Among the areas with the highest number of reported cases are Talibon with 188, Tagbilaran City with 172, Ubay with 146, Getafe with 108, Tubigon with 99, Inabanga with 75, Trinidad with 64, Dauis with 61, Mabini and Candijay with 60 each, and Jagna with 59.
Talibon also recorded the highest number of deaths at five, followed by Tubigon with three. Getafe and Ubay each recorded two deaths.
Alicia, Bien Unido, Dauis, Guindulman, Pilar, Tagbilaran City, Panglao and Clarin each recorded one death, according to provincial health officials.
Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno, first district board member and vice chairperson of the Committee on Health and Public Sanitation, Dr. Jeia Pondoc, Tagbilaran City health officer, and Fritzie Vallentos Olaguir, nurse program coordinator of the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, also joined the briefing.