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

The recent 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) Annual Conference in Beijing has impressed international guests with its focus on deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation, highlighting how China's innovative advances are reshaping daily life.

The five-day forum, themed "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation," wrapped up in Chinese capital on Sunday after bringing together more than 1,000 participants from over 100 countries and regions around the world.

More than 560 cutting-edge achievements were unveiled at the event, ranging from embodied intelligent robots and brain-computer interfaces to breakthroughs in quantum applications and 6G research and development.

The venue for the forum also showcased a number of these innovative creations to visitors, who were able to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee prepared by a humanoid barista, as well as be throughly entertained by robots performing dances or even playing piano.

Given the presence of these advanced humanoid robots, international participants shared the common view that innovation is no longer confined to laboratories but is now permeating every aspect of daily life.

"The deepest impression is actually to see how much AI is across everywhere," said Anders Karlsson, vice president of Elsevier, a global leader providing advanced information and decision support to accelerate progress in science and healthcare worldwide.

"The Zhongguancun Forum has become a very international window on innovation. We can find out annually how innovation is driving [and a key] component of growth of this wonderful country," said Vincenzo Lipardi, president and co-founder of SPICI, an Italian company assisting businesses and startups with strategic consulting services.

"As a scientist and as a worker of the United Nations system, I'm really pleased to see integration of science, technology and sustainability," said Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia.

One of the forum's key themes was around opening up and striving for greater cooperation, which demonstrated to the wider world that China's innovation aims to break down barriers and share opportunities, so as to enable the global community to advance together.

"It's my first time attending the forum. And I'm very surprised that you have a very high level of innovation. China is open to ideas. Openness is the way to make innovations," said Prof. Hussein Sherief, a member of the International Committee for Scientific and Technical Data (CODATA).

Int'l guests hail integration of technology, innovation at Beijing forum