Quezon City: The mayor of Quezon City, the most populous city in the capital region of the Philippines, declared a dengue outbreak on Saturday, citing a nearly 200 percent surge in cases.

According to Namibia Press Agency, from January 1 to February 14, the city's health department recorded 1,769 dengue cases, marking a significant increase compared to last year, as stated by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. Mayor Belmonte reported that 10 individuals, including eight minors, have succumbed to the disease.

"Our declaration of a dengue outbreak ensures that we are on top of the situation, and we are doing everything we can to protect our residents from this deadly disease, especially our children," Belmonte added. The report highlights that 58 percent of the reported cases involve school-aged children aged five to 17, while 44 percent are children aged one to 10.

To address the late diagnosis of dengue, all 66 city health centers will remain operational during weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as mentioned by Belmonte. The city's outbreak declaration followed closely after the Philippines' Department of Health noted an increase in water and food-borne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis, and dengue.

According to government data, Quezon City had a population of nearly 3 million as of 2020.