ZAMBOANGA CITY — Dengue cases in the city have surged by 42% in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite reported during a joint meeting of the Local Health Board and the Zamboanga City Multi-Sectoral AIDS Council (ZC-MSEAC) at City Hall on Tuesday, April 22.
From January 1 to April 19, the City Health Office recorded 638 dengue cases with two fatalities, a significant increase from the 450 cases logged in the same timeframe in 2024. Dr. Miravite noted that children aged 1 to 10 years old accounted for 326 cases, or about 51% of the total.
Barangays Labuan and Baliwasan registered the highest number of cases with 19 each, followed by Sta. Barbara with 17, Rio Hondo with 15, and Culianan with 14. Other affected barangays include Pasobolong and Cabaluay (12 each), Cawit (11), San Jose Cawa-Cawa and Bunguiao (9 each), Limpapa (7), Lanzones (5), Guisao (4), and Zone IV and Capisan with two cases each.
The meeting also addressed broader public health concerns, including the threat of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) and the growing number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the city. EIDs are infections that have recently surfaced or are spreading more rapidly in new areas.
On HIV, Dr. Miravite shared that a total of 1,224 cases have been documented in Zamboanga City from 1995 to December 2024, with 122 deaths recorded. She underscored the urgency of reinforcing awareness and prevention initiatives.
Additionally, updates were presented on The Challenge Initiative (TCI) strategies aimed at enhancing Family Planning and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) services in the city.
Preparations are also underway for the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, scheduled for May 23 at Plaza Pershing. The event will honor lives lost to AIDS and will offer free HIV screening and testing services to the public.
Among those present at the meeting were Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Cathy Garcia, Department of the Interior and Local Government City Director Ginagene Vaño-Uy, representatives from the Department of Health-9 and the Zamboanga City Medical Center, as well as Tony Tumalon, City Lead for the Zuelig Family Foundation-TCI project.
Health officials continue to urge residents to maintain vigilance, especially in eliminating mosquito breeding sites, and to participate actively in HIV prevention and health promotion activities.