The Philippines Dengue Cases Increase 75%

Despite the significant drop in recent dengue cases, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., today ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to closely monitor the outbreak situation as part of its continued efforts to safeguard the health of Filipinos.

In a media release on May 2, 2025, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro attributed the significant decrease in new dengue cases to the prompt response of the DOH under its "Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito" campaign.

Castro said that from 12,050 recorded dengue cases during March 2 to 15, the figure dropped to 9,289 from March 16 to 29, 2025.

While this decreasing trend is a positive indication, the DOH reported that about 95,000 dengue cases have been recorded since the beginning of 2025. This data represents a 75% increase compared to last year.

The DOH noted the low case fatality rate of 0.36 percent, or about four deaths per 1,000 dengue cases, in 2025.

Previously, the Quezon City Government's City Health Department declared a dengue outbreak.

The DOH's "Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito "campaign involves "Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip" as the four basic ways of cleaning and eliminating possible mosquito breeding grounds.

Castro said the government's campaign encourages families, schools, and workplaces to clean potential mosquito breeding grounds daily at 4:00 PM. She echoed the DOH's call for the public to maintain cleanliness and prepare for the onset of the rainy season.

Throughout 2025, a second-generation dengue vaccine has been offered in various countries in the Asia-Pacific Region as a disease prevention option. Unfortunately, the QDENGA vaccine is not available in the United States.

To alert international travelers of this health risk, the U.S. CDC's Global Dengue Advisory included the Philippines, advising travelers to risk areas to prevent mosquito bites.