DOH urges early consultation as dengue cases in Caraga decline to 66%
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Early consultation, sustained community participation, and intensified mosquito-control efforts are helping curb dengue in the Caraga region, with cases declining by 66 percent compared with the same period last year, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga.
Doctor Amethyst Kathleen Alicante, medical officer IV of DOH Caraga, urged residents to seek medical attention immediately when dengue symptoms appear to prevent complications and ensure timely treatment. She also assured the public that hospitals across the region have been activated and are prepared to manage dengue cases and provide the necessary medical care.
Alicante issued the reminder during the Kapihan sa PIA with DOH Caraga at SM City Butuan on August 10, emphasizing that the decline in cases should not lead to complacency as dengue remains a continuing public health concern, particularly during the rainy season.
As of August 8, 2026, DOH Caraga recorded 2,303 dengue cases, of which 621, or 26.96%, were confirmed through PCR, viral isolation, NAAT-LAMP assay, or dengue NS1 testing. The cases were reported in Agusan del Norte (106), Agusan del Sur (674), Dinagat Islands (100), Surigao del Norte (280), Surigao del Sur (431), Bayugan City (129), Bislig City (59), Butuan City (214), Cabadbaran City (67), Surigao City (104), and Tandag City (139).
The continued decline in cases aligns with the national government’s directive to strengthen preventive and primary health care interventions and protect communities from infectious diseases. Under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the government continues to support DOH-led measures that promote community participation in disease prevention, including the “4 o’clock habit” or “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito,” which calls on households and communities to regularly search for and eliminate mosquito-breeding sites.
The campaign complements the government’s broader efforts to strengthen local health systems and ensure that health services remain accessible to communities. By encouraging households to take preventive action and seek timely medical care, the national government aims to reduce the risk of severe dengue cases and prevent avoidable deaths.
Alicante encouraged households to practice “taob, taktak, tuyo, at takip” by turning over or emptying water-holding containers, drying areas where water may accumulate, and keeping water containers covered. These simple measures help prevent Aedes mosquitoes from breeding and reduce dengue transmission in communities.
She likewise emphasized the importance of personal protection, including wearing appropriate clothing and using mosquito repellents, and encouraging residents to consult their rural health units (RHUs) or other health facilities immediately upon experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache, body and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, or skin rashes.
DOH Caraga continues to promote the “4S” strategy against dengue: Search and destroy mosquito-breeding places, use Self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and Support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas when indicated, as a comprehensive approach to dengue prevention and control.
Alicante stressed that sustaining the gains against dengue requires collective action among families, communities, local government units, and health facilities.
“While we are seeing a significant decline in cases, we must remain vigilant. Dengue prevention starts at home, and every household has an important role in eliminating breeding sites and seeking early medical care when symptoms develop,” she said. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
