By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao Bureau
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Agusan del Sur has declared a province-wide dengue outbreak after the number of reported cases climbed from 206 during the first half of the year to 674 as of Aug. 8, prompting intensified surveillance and mosquito-control measures across the province.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO), in a public health advisory dated Sept. 29, said the province was experiencing an increasing burden of dengue, including rising cases, hospitalizations, severe cases and reported deaths.
Based on available surveillance and epidemiological evidence, the PHO declared a province-wide dengue outbreak in accordance with Republic Act No. 11332 and Department of Health Department Memorandum No. 2023-0103.
The declaration came after dengue cases in the province rose steadily during the year, even as the overall number of cases in the Caraga region remained lower than last year’s figures.
Cases climb
Data from the Department of Health-Caraga showed 206 dengue cases in Agusan del Sur during the first half of 2026. By July 25, the cumulative number had reached 492.
By Aug. 8, the number had climbed to 674 cases, according to DOH-Caraga data reported by the Philippine Information Agency-Caraga on Aug. 21.
The 674 cases were the highest recorded among Caraga’s five provinces at the time. Regionwide, DOH-Caraga had recorded 2,303 cases as of Aug. 8, although this was 66 percent lower than the comparable period in 2025.
The figures represent cumulative counts for different reporting periods and should not be treated as a direct week-to-week increase. But they show the growing dengue burden in Agusan del Sur leading up to the province-wide outbreak declaration.
The province also breached the dengue epidemic threshold during the July 5-Aug. 1 surveillance period, according to Department of Health data. The epidemic threshold indicates an active, widespread outbreak requiring urgent action.
Rosario hotspots
The provincial outbreak declaration has been accompanied by intensified field surveillance.
On Sept. 23, the PHO, in coordination with the Rosario Primary Care Facility, conducted entomological case surveillance within a 300-meter radius of identified dengue hotspot areas in Barangays Sta. Cruz and Bayugan 3 in Rosario.
The activity focused on identifying possible mosquito-breeding sites and strengthening community-based measures to prevent further transmission.
Health personnel also conducted dengue prevention advocacy and anti-mosquito-net retreatment, reinforcing household protection measures.
The PHO said it would work with DOH-Caraga, local government units, health facilities and other partners to intensify dengue surveillance, case investigation, vector control, community mobilization and risk communication across the province.
Hospitals on alert
Health facilities were advised to activate their dengue surge-capacity plans, strengthen referral mechanisms and activate or reactivate Dengue Fast Lanes and appropriate clinical pathways to ensure timely assessment and management of patients.
The measures are intended to help health facilities cope with increasing cases and prevent severe infections from progressing without timely treatment.
The PHO also urged residents to seek early medical consultation when symptoms of dengue develop.
4S campaign
The provincial health office reminded residents to observe the 4S Kontra Dengue strategy: Search and destroy mosquito-breeding places, practice Self-protection against mosquito bites, Seek early consultation when signs and symptoms occur, and Support fogging or spraying in identified hotspot areas when indicated.
Households were urged to eliminate stagnant water, keep surroundings clean and properly cover water containers.
The PHO also called on communities to promptly report potential mosquito-breeding sites and cooperate with local health authorities during dengue-control activities.
“Everyone has a role in stopping dengue,” the PHO said, urging residents to help keep homes, schools, workplaces and communities free from mosquito-breeding sites.
The province’s latest outbreak declaration underscores the need for sustained cooperation among health authorities, local governments, barangay health workers and residents as the rainy season continues.
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