Dengue cases in Cebu City have climbed past 1,200 this year, with 10 deaths recorded as health authorities continue monitoring the increase in infections.
The latest surveillance report from the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) showed 1,228 dengue cases from January 1 to July 18, 2026, marking a 12.35 percent increase from the 1,093 cases recorded during the same period last year.
The city also recorded 10 dengue-related deaths during the same period, higher than the three fatalities reported in 2025.
The increase placed Cebu City’s dengue case fatality rate at 0.81 percent.
Despite a decline in weekly cases after reaching a peak of 78 infections during Morbidity Week 26, health officials said the overall number of cases remains higher compared with last year.
From July 12 to 18 alone, the city recorded 17 new dengue cases.
The Department of Health in Central Visayas continues to classify dengue in Cebu City as endemic, although the current number of cases has not reached the alert or epidemic threshold.
Children remain the most affected age group, with patients ranging from two months old to 96 years old and a median age of 12.
CCHD data showed that children aged one to 10 years old accounted for 498 cases, representing 40.55 percent of the total infections.
More males were also infected, accounting for 661 cases or 53.83 percent of all reported dengue cases.
Of the 10 fatalities recorded, four came from the city’s West Health Area, including two from Sawang Calero and one each from Duljo and Tisa.
Three deaths were recorded in the East Health Area, involving patients from Ermita, Sambag II, and Suba.
The remaining fatalities involved residents from Camputhaw, Mabolo, and Pit-os.
All 10 patients were admitted to hospitals in Cebu City, with the Cebu City Medical Center handling five of the fatal cases.
The remaining patients were treated at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu North General Hospital, Adventist Hospital-Cebu, St. Vincent General Hospital, and VisayasMed Hospital Cebu.
Among Cebu City’s barangays, Guadalupe recorded the highest number of dengue cases with 80, followed by Basak San Nicolas with 64, Lahug with 57, Labangon with 53, and Tisa with 48.
Other barangays with high case counts were Mambaling with 44, Kalunasan with 40, Punta Princesa with 37, Pasil with 36, and Camputhaw, Duljo, Quiot, and Talamban with 34 cases each.
San Nicolas Central posted the highest incidence rate at 4.99 cases per 1,000 population, followed by Pasil, Santo Niño, Sawang Calero, Ermita, Sirao, Carreta, Kamagayan, San Antonio, and Sambag II.
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak attributed the continued risk of dengue transmission to recent rains that created more stagnant water in canals and other areas where mosquitoes can breed.
He urged residents to regularly clean their surroundings and remove possible breeding sites for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
“Kihangyo namo ang publiko nga magmatngon ug magtinabangay kita paglimpyo sa mga napundong mga tubig sa atong lugar, para dili kini kapag-itlogan sa lamok nga nagdala ug dengue,” Tumulak said.
Tumulak also encouraged residents to use mosquito repellents or nets and seek immediate medical attention if they experience fever or other dengue symptoms.
He urged barangay officials to coordinate with the CCHD in implementing prevention measures and educating communities about dengue.
The councilor also called on residents to participate in clean-up drives, properly dispose of waste, cover water containers, and report suspected dengue cases to health centers to help prevent further spread of the disease.
Photo courtesy of CNN
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