CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – Cities and municipalities in the province of Laguna are placed on alert and urged to implement the 5S strategy against dengue as cases doubled compared to the same period in 2024.
According to the latest bulletin by the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) of the Provincial Health Office of Laguna, there are now five deaths from the 1,712 cumulative dengue cases in the entire province from January 1 to February 15, 2025.
This marks a 267 percent increase in cases compared to the number of cases reported during the same timeframe in 2024.
“Based on our previous cases, [the increase] happens every three years. Actually, last year, the cases were already high, but this year, we noticed that as early as January, even before the month ended, there was already a sudden rise in dengue cases again. That’s why our local chief executives are now on alert,” Danica Tolentino, head of PESU Laguna said.
Santa Rosa City tops the list of highest reported dengue cases with 317 confirmed cases, followed by San Pedro City with 313 cases, Biñan City with 218 cases, Calamba City with 193 cases, and Cabuyao City with 192 cases.
While the number of cases is relatively high, the PHO-PESU clarified that the threshold is yet to be reached in order to declare a local outbreak.
Currently, local governments and provincial offices are placed on the preventive side of response to assure that cases remain manageable or reduce the reported cases by employing the 5S strategy against dengue.
PHO urges local governments to follow the 5S that stands for “Search and destroy” mosquito-breeding sites, employ “Self-protection measures”, “Seek early consultation,” “Support fogging/spraying” in hotspot areas, and “Sustain Hydration,” to prevent other risks.
“Right now, [LGUs] are still focused on the preventive side and the routine measures they are implementing to reduce the cases,” Tolentino said.
She adds,”I know that many barangays have already conducted clean-up drives and health awareness campaigns in the community because they have noticed the rising dengue cases.”
Healthcare utilization in Laguna remains normal amid the reported dengue surge. (CH,CO/PIA-Laguna)
