The Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) is stepping up its campaign against dengue as cases in the province reached 2,324 from January to Aug. 18, with health officials placing greater emphasis on community-led efforts to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites.
The province also recorded 17 dengue-related deaths during the period, according to Dr. Sheila Faciol of the PHO.
Faciol said the number of cases has increased since July and is higher compared with the same period last year, although she did not provide the corresponding 2025 figures during the interview.
She attributed the rise partly to the rainy season, which has resulted in more stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
However, Faciol stressed that residents should not assume that only dirty or polluted water poses a dengue risk.
Mosquitoes can also breed in clean stagnant water found in flower vases, gutters, and containers or tanks used to store water, she said.
The PHO began activating its dengue response as early as July, encouraging LGUs, barangays and households to carry out cleanup activities and remove possible breeding grounds.
According to Faciol, dengue brigades were already in place in LGUs, but the rise in cases prompted health authorities to reinforce the campaign and urge residents to clean their own surroundings.
Schools have also been included in the prevention drive.
Faciol said general cleaning activities were undertaken to prevent stagnant water from collecting within school premises, including in areas where water is pumped or stored.
Talisay City, Toledo City and the municipality of Medellin were among the areas identified as having high case counts. As of the latest reporting period, Talisay had 272 cases, Toledo had 217, and Medellin had 182.
The provincial government has extended assistance to these areas as part of efforts to contain the spread of dengue.
Faciol said cleanup remains the primary intervention under the province›s dengue campaign, while misting is used only when necessary and after efforts have been made to remove breeding sites.
‘Misting is our last resort,’ she said, noting that it may be conducted in affected areas, including schools, when warranted.
She also urged parents and caregivers to bring children and other family members experiencing fever to the nearest rural health unit (RHU) or hospital for assessment.
Dengue tests are available in RHUs and the province’s 16 government-owned hospitals, particularly for patients who have had fever for three to five days.