Philippines faces alarming increase in dengue cases

Communities in the Philippines are turning to creative solutions to combat the dengue outbreak as cases of the mosquito-borne illness are skyrocketing across the Southeast Asian archipelagic country.

More than 43,000 dengue cases have been reported from January to mid-February nationwide, compared with almost 28,000 in the same period last year, according to Philippine health department data.

Health officials warn rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, exacerbating the crisis.

In response, village chief Cerlito Cernal of Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City launched a scheme in one of the country's most densely populated areas. His strategy offers a token bounty to residents for captured mosquitoes - one peso for every five caught.

The urban village with over 170,000 residents has recorded three child deaths from dengue viral infection. Residents are now clearing stagnant water and collecting mosquitoes to claim the bounty. The captured insects are placed in an electric mosquito killer, while larvae are destroyed with insecticide. "It's for the cleanliness of our village. We must get rid of stagnant water where mosquitoes lay eggs, so we don't get dengue," Cernal told China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection found in tropical countries worldwide. It can cause joint pain, nausea, vomiting and rashes, and in severe cases can cause breathing problems, hemorrhaging and organ failure. There is no specific treatment for the illness.

The Philippines has managed to maintain slightly lower mortality rates amid the increase in dengue infections, but younger children remain the most vulnerable.

Fourteen-year-old Saentellie Estordillo was among the latest victims. Her family said she had a high fever before she started vomiting blood. The young girl passed away after a week in the hospital.

"It was so unexpected and it happened so fast. The doctor said the virus spread throughout her body and her liver was severely affected," said Lorena Estordillo, the victim's grandmother.

The Philippine health department is urging the public to seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of dengue symptoms. To ease the surge in cases, government hospitals have been ordered to activate dengue fast lanes for quicker diagnosis and treatment. Rapid test kits have also been deployed to speed up detection and response.

Health officials say climate change is fueling a year-round dengue crisis in the Philippines. Warmer temperatures and prolonged rains are creating ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, accelerating the spread of the virus. With unpredictable weather patterns, experts warn dengue outbreaks are no longer seasonal but a constant threat.

Philippines faces alarming increase in dengue cases

Philippines faces alarming increase in dengue cases

Philippines faces alarming increase in dengue cases

Philippines faces alarming increase in dengue cases

Philippines faces alarming increase in dengue cases

China's economy is expected to maintain stable growth and show greater strengths in 2026, as the fundamentals sustaining the sound growth in the long run remain unchanged, the spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry Mao Ning said on Wednesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Mao made the remarks in response to research reports from European financial institutions, which said that China is on course to maintain steady economic growth in 2026 with the underpinning of technological innovation and green transition.

Mao said that Chinese economy overcame risks and challenges in 2025 and contributed around 30 percent to global economic growth.

"Over the past year, China has effectively coped with various risks and challenges facing its economy. Despite mounting economic pressure, China has pushed forward with innovation-led and high-quality development. China has been at the forefront in scientific and technological innovation and green energy transition worldwide. The composite national strength reached new heights. China has continually advanced high-standard opening up and become the major trading partner of over 150 countries and regions. China has contributed around 30 percent to global economic growth, and injected impetus to global development," said Mao.

The spokeswoman also said that the year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and innovation and green development would remain the engines of China's high-quality growth.

"Looking forward, with 2026 marking the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the core conditions supporting China’s long-term positive growth remains firmly in place, with the underlying upward trend unchanged. China will be showing greater strengths. Innovation and green development will be the driver and main features of China’s high-quality development. We will give a boost to common development worldwide through openness and shared benefit and keep advancing voluntary and institutional opening up. We will continue to run our own affairs well, write a new chapter in the story of China miracle, and also open our arms wider to embrace development and prosperity together with other countries. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, we will provide new driving forces and opportunities to both ourselves and the rest of the world," said Mao.

Chinese economy set to maintain stable growth in 2026: spokeswoman