THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) Davao Center for Health Development (CHD) continues to work with the local government units in the Davao Region following the launch of the “Alas-Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” campaign in an effort to address dengue.
The campaign sought to bring the community together to follow a 4 PM habit to address dengue, emphasizing that if there are fewer mosquitoes, there are less chances of getting dengue. This is due to the notable increase in dengue cases by approximately 39.89% from 2023 to 2024 (28,286 cases) in the Davao Region. Dengue case fatality rate (CFR), however, decreased from 0.67% in 2023 to 0.57% in 2024 here. CFR is the death rate among people diagnosed with this disease.
Dengue, a vector-borne illness that spreads through bites from female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, continues to be a big public health challenge in the Davao Region. There are currently 2,966 dengue cases in the Davao Region with a 0.64% CFR, according to the latest 2025 DOH data.
“Sabay-sabay tayong mag Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, at Takip!” said DOH Undersecretary and DOH Davao concurrent regional director Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr. He added that in fighting dengue, we should always keep an eye on various forms of stagnant water, even on tiny crevices and vessels like a bottle cap, because these are where small mosquitoes can start to do big harm.
As guided by the campaign, a search and destroy activity was conducted in Purok Sandawa, Barangay Buhangin Proper during the launch. The dengue efforts of the community were also supported through DOH’s sharing of dengue kits and communication materials. Employees in the Davao CHD also mobilized a cleanup blitz to search and destroy areas where mosquitoes may breed. These efforts continued throughout communities in the Davao Region to form a sustainable habit over time that empowers citizens to protect themselves from dengue.
Dengue manifests symptoms such as fever, rashes, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, pain behind the eyes but can get severe and cause bleeding. The DOH also urges the public to practice self-protection measures such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using insect repellent lotions, and putting up mosquito nets when sleeping.
Further, the DOH advises the public to seek early consultation with their primary care providers as soon as they experience symptoms of dengue. For cases needing immediate response, the dengue hotline 0956-873-4749 remains open and reachable to the public.
