South Cotabato: Health authorities in South Cotabato have intensified their information campaign as dengue cases in the province surged 17 percent. From Jan. 1 to March 8, the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) recorded 1,004 dengue cases, up from 800 cases during the same period in 2024.

According to Philippines News Agency, the youngest patient is a two-year-old child, while the oldest is a 92-year-old woman. A seven-year-old child from Polomolok was the lone fatality. Koronadal City reported the highest number of cases with 260, followed by Polomolok with 193 and Surallah with 121.

Dr. Conrado Bra±a, acting head of IPHO, urged the public to help combat the spread of dengue by eliminating mosquito breeding sites in their homes. He also called on the 225 barangays (villages) across the province's one city and 10 municipalities to lead regular clean-up drives every 4 p.m. to destroy potential breeding grounds. 'Early detection can save lives, and everyone must take part in the provincial efforts to eliminate Aedes aegypti mosquitoes,' Bra±a said.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro, and yellow fever viruses, according to the Department of Health.