Cebu Province has recorded 3,759 dengue cases and 21 deaths from January through Sept. 11, but health authorities have not declared a province-wide outbreak because weekly cases remain below established epidemiological thresholds.
The 21 deaths bring the cumulative case fatality rate to 0.56 percent, with the fatalities recorded across the province since January rather than all occurring in September.
Despite the rising number of cases, the Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) said surveillance data have not breached the thresholds used to determine whether dengue transmission has reached outbreak level.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Sheila Faciol earlier said an increase in cases alone does not automatically mean an outbreak has occurred, as health officials assess transmission based on established thresholds and surveillance patterns.
“So far, based on our threshold, we have not reached the outbreak level,” Faciol said.
She also said “our dengue cases are still controlled.”
Provincial surveillance data showed cases began increasing more sharply around morbidity week 25, with week 33 recording the highest weekly total at 478 cases.
Weeks 32 to 35 recorded 421, 478, 416 and 292 cases, respectively.
Week 36 had 46 cases as of Sept. 10, but health authorities cautioned against interpreting the figure as a sustained decline because the surveillance week was still incomplete.
From morbidity weeks 1 to 36, the province’s weekly case counts remained below both the alert and epidemic thresholds, which the PHO cited as the technical basis for not declaring a province-wide outbreak.
The overall figures, however, mask areas experiencing heavier transmission.
Surveillance reports showed several local government units recorded comparatively high numbers of cases in August and September.
In August, Medellin recorded 240 cases, followed by Talisay City with 214 and Toledo City with 161. Dalaguete reported 93 cases and Minglanilla 84, while Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, Argao and Danao City also posted elevated case counts.
For September, Talisay City recorded the highest number with 72 cases, followed by Medellin with 60 and Toledo City with 38. Dalaguete recorded 30 cases, while Minglanilla had 21 and Argao 19.
The provincial government has strengthened dengue control measures in affected communities and maintained readiness across its 16 provincial and district hospitals.
Dengue Fast Lanes have been activated to speed up the assessment and management of suspected cases.
The hospitals also maintain 24/7 laboratory services, diagnostic and NS1 test kits, intravenous fluids and other essential supplies for dengue management, according to the PHO.
The PHO has provided local governments with surveillance and entomological assessments, technical guidance, diagnostic kits, mosquito nets, larvicides, misting chemicals, sprayers and protective equipment.
Doctors from the 16 Capitol-run hospitals also underwent a pediatric dengue case-management refresher covering the early recognition of warning signs, fluid management, treatment of severe dengue and timely referral of patients.
Faciol stressed the importance of seeking medical attention early, particularly when a family member develops persistent fever or other symptoms associated with dengue.
“Our primary concern is early consultation. If a family member has a fever, let us have them checked immediately at the nearest health center or hospital so they can be given proper attention right away and prevent complications from worsening,” she said.
The PHO continues to remind communities that dengue prevention requires more than hospital treatment and misting operations.
Removing stagnant water and eliminating mosquito breeding sites remain key measures in reducing transmission, along with personal protection and early consultation for suspected cases.
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