An alarming increase in suspected dengue cases in the capital town and three other municipalities has spurred Catanduanes health authorities to urge barangays to conduct clean-up drives to eliminate breeding places of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Data from the Provincial Health Office’s Provincial Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (PESU) showed that the increase in suspect dengue cases was first recorded during Morbidity Week 23 or the period from June 7 to 13, 2026.
During this week, Virac recorded 11 of the total 16 suspect cases, followed by 33 more cases during the next three weeks.
On July 12 to 18, the number of suspect dengue cases surged to 41, with the next week marked by a new high of 43 cases.
On the other hand, during the week beginning June 14, the town of Bato recorded 12 cases, with the next two weeks bringing 15 more cases.
With 32 more cases reported during the period until July 25, Bato’s total has reached 59 cases.
The PHO data indicates that during the seven-week period from June 7 to July 25, Virac accounted for 149 suspected dengue cases, or nearly half of the 302 recorded for the entire province in the same period.
The towns of San Andres also reported 11 cases from July 5 to 11 while Baras had 10 and San Miguel had 6 in the following week.
The last time a surge in suspect dengue cases occurred was in a span of seven weeks from January 11 to March 7 this year when a total of 196 cases was recorded by local health authorities, with almost 45 percent coming from Virac.
In the current outbreak in the capital town, notable increases in cases were noted in barangays Cavinitan (15), San Isidro Village (15), Bigaa (12), Sogod-Tibgao (11), Capilihan (9), Palnab del Sur (8), Palnab del Norte (7), Calatagan Proper 7) and Gogon Centro (7).
In Bato, the villages with the highest number of cases were Libod Poblacion (17), Cabugao (7), Ilawod (7), Banawang (6 and Batalay (6).
So far, the PHO has recorded two fatalities from dengue this year – one each from Tibang, San Andres and Hitoma, Caramoran – with both deaths occurring in February.
So far, surveillance has reported a total 643 suspect dengue cases in the province as of July 2026 compared to total 1,163 recorded in 2025.
Dengue fever is an infection caused by a virus carried by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, with the four types capable of inducing fever as well as fever with bleeding or dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Among the symptoms of dengue are the sudden onset of fever, splitting headache, pain at the back of the eyes, body and muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and skin rash. Dengue could lead to death if not treated early.
The Department of Health has called on the public to follow the “4S” protocol, which stands for Search and destruction of mosquito-breeding sites; Self-protection measures by wearing long pants and sleeves; Seeking early consultation; and Support for fogging or spraying.
It also urged residents to observe the 4 o’clock habit to search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes inside their homes, workplaces or schools.
Local government units have been urged to follow and implement policies and procedures to prevent the spread of dengue.