By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Quezon City government has recorded 12 deaths due to dengue from Jan. 1 to March 5, 2025, marking a 500 percent increase from the two fatalities recorded in the city in the same period last year.
On Thursday, the city’s Epidemiology & Surveillance Division (QCESD) also logged a 298-percent increase in the total number of dengue cases, from 857 in the same period last year, to 3,234 cases as of Wednesday.
“The latest fatality, an 8-year-old girl from Barangay Pasong Tamo, developed symptoms on February 22 but only sought medical consultation four days later, on Feb. 26, at MH Pedro Health Center,” the QCESD said in a statement.
“Experiencing headache, malaise, vomiting, and diarrhea, she was admitted to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center the same day as her condition worsened. Despite receiving treatment, she succumbed to the illness on Feb. 28.”
The QCESD said 10 of the 12 fatalities were minors aged 17 years and below.
It said delayed medical consultation is a key factor that contributes to severe dengue cases which often lead to death.
The division said before the city government declared a dengue outbreak on Feb. 15, the average time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 3.47 days.
Based on their data, it said nearly 1,000 patients delayed seeking medical attention beyond three days, which increased the risk of severe complications.
Following the outbreak declaration, it added that a positive shift in health-seeking behavior has been observed with the average delay in hospital admission decreasing to 2.73 days.
This means that more patients are now seeking treatment sooner, with 193 individuals consulting a doctor within a day and 522 within two to three days.
“However, while improvements are evident, the impact of earlier delays continues to be felt, as cases progressing to fatalities. Seeking medical care early improves recovery chances and helps hospitals manage cases, preventing further strain and deaths,” the QCESD said.
Dengue symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, and rashes. (PNA)
