Health officials in the Philippines a decrease in dengue fever thus far in 2026.
During the first five months, A total of 50,727 dengue cases were recorded, a 56 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.
The Department of Health (DOH) said community cleanup drives aimed at eliminating potential breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes contributed to the decline in cases.
The DOH’s “4Ts” anti-dengue campaign — Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, at Takip — also helped reduce stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
The campaign encourages the public to empty and overturn containers (Taob), shake out water from objects that may collect rainwater (Taktak), keep surroundings dry by eliminating stagnant water (Tuyo), and cover water containers (Takip) to prevent mosquito breeding.
There are four closely related but antigenically different serotypes of the virus that can cause dengue (DEN1, DEN 2, DEN 3, DEN 4).
Dengue Fever (DF) – marked by an onset of sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and pain in muscles and joints. Some may also have a rash and varying degree of bleeding from various parts of the body (including nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising).Dengue has a wide spectrum of infection outcome (asymptomatic to symptomatic). Symptomatic illness can vary from dengue fever (DF) to the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
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Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) – is a more severe form, seen only in a small proportion of those infected. DHF is a stereotypic illness characterized by 3 phases; febrile phase with high continuous fever usually lasting for less than 7 days; critical phase (plasma leaking) lasting 1-2 days usually apparent when fever comes down, leading to shock if not detected and treated early; convalescence phase lasting 2-5 days with improvement of appetite, bradycardia (slow heart rate), convalescent rash (white patches in red background), often accompanied by generalized itching (more intense in palms and soles), and diuresis (increase urine output).
Mpox confirmed in Iloilo City, Philippines
Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) — Shock syndrome is a dangerous complication of dengue infection and is associated with high mortality. Severe dengue occurs as a result of secondary infection with a different virus serotype. Increased vascular permeability, together with myocardial dysfunction and dehydration, contribute to the development of shock, with resultant multiorgan failure.