The Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Provincial Health Services Office (PHSO) has recorded 184 dengue cases in Southern Leyte as of February 24, 2025. Of these, 101 are males and 83 are females.
Saint Bernard has the highest number of cases with 35, followed by Sogod with 25 and San Juan with 19. Other affected areas include Malitbog with 21, Maasin City with 18, Liloan with 13, Macrohon and Padre Burgos with 9 each, Bontoc and Libagon with 8 each, Anahawan with 7, Hinunangan with 6, and Pintuyan, Silago, and Tomas Oppus with 2 cases each.
Children aged 5-9 years have the highest incidence, with 24 males and 21 females affected. Despite the increase, Medical Technologist Ada Madeline B. Bule and Disease Surveillance Officer Joewil P. Napuli confirmed that no outbreak has been declared.
In 2024, the province reported a total of 2,772 dengue cases, with Maasin City recording 1,106 and Macrohon 426, making them the hardest-hit areas.
The Department of Health (DOH) urges the public to follow the Enhanced 4S Strategy to prevent dengue. This includes searching and destroying mosquito breeding sites, seeking early consultation for symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, or rash, practicing self-protection measures like using repellents, wearing long clothing, and installing window screens, and supporting fogging operations only when an outbreak is declared.
(Jeraiah Hilot / The College of Maasin)
