Many of the fatalities were children, following a clustering of cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the towns of Minglanilla and Naga and in Mandaue City.

Clustering of dengue cases had been reported in five barangays in Minglanilla, namely Tulay, Tungkop, Poblacion Ward 2, Poblacion Ward 3, and Pakigne.

A clustering of dengue cases was also recorded in Barangay Mantuyong in Mandaue City.

Earlier, there were five dengue-caused deaths reported in Cebu City. In the succeeding two-week monitoring period from July 31 to Aug. 13, five more deaths were recorded, raising the Cebu City dengue fatalities to 10 were identified as children reportedly died of dengue from July 31 to August 13, raising the number of dengue fatalities in the City to 10.

The latest fatalities were identified Christian Ligada, 8, of Bulacao, who died on July 31; Neise Poblete, 5, of Pardo, who died on August 4; Jessa Mae Tilos, 9, of Tisa, who died on August 6; Shine Codezar, 5, of Kalunasan, who died on August 7, and Jim Maranion, 12, of Tisa who died on August 13.

Cebu City Assistant Epidemiologist Durinda Macasocol said the number of cases from January to August this year was 199 more from the same period last year.

The city health office recorded 628 cases with 10 deaths this year as compared to last year’s 429 cases with 12 deaths.

Dr. Raymond Ogan, Cebu City coordinator on dengue prevention program, said while the rise of dengue cases in the city was alarming, it did not warrant a dengue outbreak declaration.

Ogan said that even as the number of cases rose to almost 50 percent, the number of deaths remained lower compared to last year.