The local government of Quezon City declared a dengue outbreak on Saturday as "nearly 200 percent" cases of mosquito-borne disease were recorded compared to the same period last year.

In a press forum, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that the declaration was due to the continuous rise of dengue cases in the city over the past few weeks. Ten, including eight minors, have succumbed in the first ten days of the year. The City Epidemology and Surveillance Division recorded 1,769 dengue cases, almost 200 percent higher than last year. ''Due to the high dengue cases in our city, we decided to declare a dengue outbreak", Belmonte said.

Fifty-eight percent of the reported cases involve children aged five to 17 years old while 44 percent are children aged one to 10, according to the city's press release.

"Our goal is not to cause panic to the public. Instead, we want the public to be more alert and conscious (against dengue) so that they can take immediate action if they feel symptoms or locate areas that could be dengue-breeding grounds, for immediate action and response" Belmonte added. Marie Manalili/DMS