Dengue cases in Baguio City went as high as 646 percent in 2024

BAGUIO CITY (January 17, 2025) -- Baguio City’s Health Services Office (CHSO) bared dengue cases here has increased by 646% in 2024 compared to the recorded cases in 2023.

Kimberly Sibayan, medical surveillance officer of the city epidemiology and surveillance unit, said that the city had 9688 dengue cases in 2024 compared to the 1,299 cases in 2023.

Dengue-related deaths also hiked with 533 percent increase with 19 deaths recorded in 2024 compared to the only 3 deaths in 2023.

She claimed that the age range of the dengue afflicted individuals was 1-97, with a median of 23.

Sibayan added that of the 19 dengue-related deaths last year, 11 were males while 8 were females.

Among the top ten city barangays with reported dengue cases in 2024 were: Irisan, Bakakeng Central, Asin Road, Pacdal, Camp 7, Bakakeng Norte/Sur, Sto. Tomas Proper, Loakan Proper, San Luis village and Gibraltar.

Health authorities have declared that dengue has become a year-round illness and people should always observe the various measures that had been aggressively promoted to prevent acquiring the illness, like taking self-protection measures, seeking early consultation, saying no to fogging, staying hydrated, among others.

Public health officials remind the public to keep their homes and premises clean by getting rid of the breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, such as clear and stagnant water, to avoid the rapid increase in cases.

Dengue fever often results in high fever aside from severe headache, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, swollen glands and rashes.

People having been infected with dengue for a second time increase their risk of serious symptoms which may be life threatening and should be immediately given appropriate medical attention, public health officials also warned.