May 12, 2026 -Barangay Irisan has again been identified as a high-risk area for dengue fever after an entomological mosquito survey conducted by the Environmental Health and Sanitation Division of the City Health Services Office showed an increase in larvae of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Irisan, the city’s most populous barangay with around 37,000 residents, has consistently topped the dengue monitoring list in previous years.
During the survey, health workers inspected 100 households and collected water samples from various containers where mosquito larvae were found. The samples were examined and counted to determine the presence of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes said the findings should serve as a wake-up call for the barangay and nearby communities to strengthen anti-dengue measures immediately.
“This is an early warning sign for Irisan to take aggressive action as early as now even if we have already advised barangays to conduct clean-up drives since January,” Brillantes said.
She noted that dengue fever used to follow a three-year cycle, but cases are now appearing more frequently, with outbreaks occurring every two years.
Aside from Irisan, other barangays included in the city’s top 10 dengue risk list will also undergo entomological mosquito larval studies to help determine the level of risk and guide local interventions.
The CHSO is urging residents to intensify the “Oplan Taob” campaign by conducting daily clean-up activities instead of the previous Thursday-only schedule.
Brillantes said early action is necessary as the city continues to experience occasional rains.
“While rainfall can wash away old mosquito breeding sites, it can also create new stagnant water areas where mosquitoes may breed,” she said.** Aileen P. Refuerzo
