JANUARY 11, 2026 — Quezon City logged 62 dengue cases in the first week of 2026, according to the local government. While this number is 85% lower compared to the same period last year, the report still raises important concerns — especially since most of the patients are young people aged 20 and below. District 2 recorded the highest number at 25, and although no deaths have been reported, dengue remains a serious health threat.

The Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division has reminded residents of the basics:

• Search and destroy drums, tanks, pails, and any container that collects water
• Self-protection: wear long sleeves and pants, sleep under mosquito nets, and use repellents or sprays
• Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms like fever, headache, or stomachache appear
• Avail of free dengue tests and checkups at health centers.

Beyond these, we should also:

• Cover all water storage containers tightly
• Clean roof gutters regularly
• Encourage children to wear light-colored clothing (mosquitoes prefer dark colors)
• Support barangay-led clean-up drives (because dengue prevention is a community effort)

The decline in cases is encouraging, but it should not lull us into complacency. Dengue can cause severe complications, from bleeding to organ damage, and it often strikes the most vulnerable — our children. 

Prevention is not just about following tips but about building habits and collective responsibility.

So the question is, are we doing enough in our homes, schools, and communities to keep dengue at bay? Remember, just one careless moment can breed a mosquito, and just one mosquito can change a life forever.

(Image: Philippine Information Agency)