Dengue cases in Baguio show clustering this January

BAGUIO CITY (January 23, 2025) -- Baguio City recorded clustering of dengue cases during the first weeks of January this year.

Records of the City Health Services Office (CHSO) showed 17 dengue cases recorded in the first and second week of January. Twenty cases were recorded in December 2024, totaling 37 during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Government physician Donnabel Panes noted an increase in dengue cases during the holiday season where human mobility across regions such as tourism, increased holiday outdoor activities, and back-to-school travels among others, might have played a role in the rise of cases.

Dr. Panes also expounded the probable role of possi transportation, where mosquitoes may have traveled using human transportation. “Nakikibakasyon din ang lamok. Pwedeng nakapasok sila sa public transport coming here to the city, and they spread the virus through their (bite)”, she explained.

She reiterated their advisory for residents and barangay officials to continue to search and destroy potential breeding sites for mosquitoes. These potential breeding sites include tires, flower pot dishes, and any material that may contain stagnant water in and outside a household or any establishment.

Barangays that recorded cases of dengue at the start of the year are Irisan, Loakan Proper, Asin Road, Pacdal, Pinsao Proper, Bakakeng Central, San Luis Village, Camp 7, and Pinget.

Only in 2024, more than nine thousand contracted the dengue virus in Baguio, with 19 deaths.

“Respiratory illnesses hike in 2024”

While the CHSO also recorded a 19 percent hike of Severe acute respiratory illnesses (SARI) in 2024, compared to 2023 figures.

Kimberly Sibayan, medical surveillance officer of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit saidm that there were 1,322 severe acute respiratory illnesses in the city in 2024 compared to the 1,071 cases that were documented by the said office in 2023.

Though no SARI-related deaths were recorded, both in 2023 and 2024.

She claimed that the age range of those who were afflicted with severe acute respiratory illnesses was 0-96.

Further, 51 percent of the afflicted individuals were males while 49 percent were said to be females.

The top ten city barangays that recorded SARI in 2024 are Irisan, Bakakeng Central, Camp 7, Loakan, Bakakeng Norte, Asin Road, Pinget, Sto. Tomas Proper and Kias.

SARI, public health officials warn, is a contagious and sometimes fatal respiratory illness. It can spread in a highly mobile and interconnected world.

The symptoms of SARI sometimes start with fever, chills, muscle itches, headache and occasional diarrhea. After about a week, signs and symptoms include high fever, dry cough, shortness of breath among others.

Authorities had earlier raised the alarm that SARI is a serious illness and is fatal. People showing signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection or flu-like signs and symptoms with fever after travelling are profusely urged to immediately visit their doctor.

The respiratory infection is caused by a strain of virus which is the same family of viruses that causes the common cold.

The said viruses had never been dangerous to humans until of late.