DOH warns of prolonged dengue threat amid El Niño

By Jordan Kurt Domingo

LEGAZPI CITY --- Health authorities are urging Bicolanos to maintain year-round dengue prevention measures as the Department of Health (DOH) warns that prolonged El Niño conditions could sustain the threat of mosquito-borne disease into 2027.

The DOH Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) reported 15,146 dengue cases and 63 confirmed deaths across the region as of October 8, underscoring the need for continued vigilance even in areas where infections have begun to decline.

John Dominic Bolunia, regional dengue program manager, said hot weather could accelerate mosquito development and the multiplication of the dengue virus inside infected mosquitoes, potentially increasing the efficiency of transmission.

He explained during a press briefing Thursday that the effects of El Niño make it important for communities to strengthen preventive measures rather than assume that dengue cases will decline with changes in the weather.

Joel Buenaventura, DOH Bicol CHD director III and assistant regional director, said dengue prevention must become a regular community practice instead of an emergency response activated only when infections surge.

He urged residents to consistently observe the government’s 4S strategy: search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites, use self-protection measures, seek early medical consultation, and support fogging or targeted spraying when warranted.aw

The agency also promotes the “4 o’clock habit,” which encourages communities to conduct regular clean-up activities and eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds.

Rolan Alianza, planning section chief of the DOH Bicol incident management team, emphasized that households have a direct role in preventing dengue by maintaining clean surroundings and removing stagnant water from containers and other objects.

Health officials also clarified that mosquitoes found in dark corners of houses may simply be resting there. Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, do not necessarily breed in these locations, Bolunia said, emphasizing the importance of identifying and eliminating actual breeding sites.

The DOH continues to monitor dengue trends across Bicol, particularly in areas that have experienced recent increases. Albay reached the epidemic threshold around April but managed to contain the situation without overwhelming the health system, according to Bolunia.

Sorsogon is also under close observation after recording a peak in cases during morbidity week 39. Preliminary figures for morbidity week 40 showed a decline from the preceding week, while clustering of cases also appeared to decrease.

However, the DOH said any decision to lower the region's alert status would consider several indicators beyond case counts, including hospital capacity and utilization, blood supply, and entomological surveillance covering mosquito breeding sites and population density in high-risk communities.

Despite the continuing threat, the region's blood reserves remain adequate, with 254 units of whole blood recorded during the latest monitoring, exceeding the minimum threshold of 50 units. Hospitals also have contingency measures, including dengue fast lanes and additional health personnel when necessary.

The DOH stressed that sustained household sanitation, personal protection, early consultation, and community participation remain essential to reducing dengue transmission as Bicol prepares for the possible prolonged effects of El Niño.