After the steady decline in Dengue cases in the past months, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the need for the continuous practice of its effective Dengue prevention measure called, “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” from the communities towards schools especially this rainy season.
The DOH launched the said campaign on June 20, 2025 at the Antipolo National High School as a sign of promoting and implementing the “Taob, Taktak, Tuyo at Takip” among schools in the Philippines so that the mosquito Aedes will not be able to create breeding grounds especially this rainy season.
According to statistics, the number of people who acquired Dengue in the previous months has significantly declined due to the intensified practice of “Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip” among barangays.
“We should continue consistently with what we’ve started when it comes to Dengue prevention. We need to do the ‘Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip’ starting from households to the barangays and now, to schools because mosquitoes transfer homes. Often, we see a significant rise in Dengue cases during rainy days. We have to prevent this by intensifying vector control,” said DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
Since January until June 2025, some 123, 291 Filipinos have been victimized by Dengue. Most number of patients range from five (5) to nine (9) years old which totaled to 27, 358.
There has been a slight rise in Dengue cases these past few weeks which is considered manageable especially if the vector control will be intensified. From the period of April 27 until May 10, 2025, Dengue cases reached 6,192. It increased by 6% where there were 6,720 cases between May 11-24, 2025.
Despite the number of cases recorded, the case fatality rate of Dengue remains low at 0.4%. This means that four (4) out of one thousand (1,000) patients die because of the virus.
Apart from the vector control, the DOH is also intensifying the proper education in avoiding Dengue and other illnesses in partnership with the Department of Education. This follows the mandate of President Bong Bong Marcos to do everything for the schools in the country to be a place of effective learning and fine health.
Dr. Jem Langas, the Department of Health’s (DOH) deputy program manager for dengue, highlighted the importance of student participation in promoting health and safety in school communities.
“Even our schools and homes can store water in forgotten containers around the area. Even if the container is that small, it can be a place for mosquitoes to lay eggs and become a breeding site, causing the mosquito population to increase. That’s why we are strengthening our ‘Alas-Kwatro Kontra Mosquito’ (4 O’Clock Against Mosquito) campaign,” she said.
The Department of Education stated that it has included anti-dengue measures in its curriculum to educate students about dengue prevention and control.
“This is also integrated into our lessons in DepEd, such as Science. This is also true for many of our other subjects like Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies). It’s also included in Edukasyong Pagpapakatao or Values Education. They learn many important things that they can share with their families about what to do to prevent dengue,” said Antipolo City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Lerma Flandez.
