Dengue Outbreak Declared in Zamboanga City After 12 Deaths

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Local authorities declared a dengue outbreak here on Tuesday following 12 confirmed deaths from 1,241 cases across 39 barangays, a 500 percent jump from the same period last year. Mayor Khymer Olaso, citing records from the City Health Office (CHO), said barangays Calarian, Sta. Maria, Talon-Talon, Ayala, and Putik registered the largest number of cases. Olaso urged the public to take immediate action to prevent the further spread of the disease, which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is endemic in the Philippines. It is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash. In some cases, it can progress to severe dengue, which can be fatal. Health officials have been urging the public to practice the "4-S" strategy: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, secure self-protection like using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves, seek early consultation for fever, and support fogging and spraying in hot spots. The surge in cases in Zamboanga City is a cause for concern, as it indicates a significant increase in mosquito populations and transmission rates. Local authorities are expected to implement intensified control measures to curb the outbreak.