ILOILO – Forty towns in this province, including Passi City, recorded cases of dengue.
From Jan. 1 to March 25, the province had 361 cases, or 315 percent more than the 114 cases and six deaths recorded in the same period in 2022, data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed.
Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates like in the Philippines.
The top 10 localities with the highest cases were Barotac Nuevo (28), Estancia (22), Alimodian (19), Banate (18), San Dionisio (17), Pototan (16), Passi City (15), Ajuy (14), and Calinog (14), and Oton (13).
Most people who get dengue won’t have symptoms, according to the World Health Organization. But for those that do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. Most will also get better in one to two weeks. Some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital.
In severe cases, dengue can be fatal.
The other towns with dengue cases were: Carles (12), Sara (11), Lemery (11), Balasan (11), Dumangas (0), Pavia (nine), Barotac Nuevo (nine), Dueñas (eight), Dingle (eight), Batad (seven), San Joaquin (six), San Miguel (six), San Enrique (six), Miag-ao (six), Concepcion (six), Tigbauan (six), Santa Barbara (five), Leganes (five), Janiuay (four), Guimbal (four), Badiangan (three), Anilao (three), Zarraga (three), Igbaras (three), Leon (three), Tubungan (three), Bingawan (two), Lambunao (one), and New Lucena (one).
Maasin and Mina towns in the 3rd District and San Rafael town in the 5th District have no dengue case.
The age groups most affected are the following:
* Less than one year old – 13 cases
* One to 10 years old – 206 cases
* 11 to 20 years old – 73 cases
* 21 to 30 years old – 36 cases
* 31 to 40 years old – 11 cases
* 41 years old and above – 22 cases
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon reiterated the 4S strategy against dengue: search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, employ self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas.
Quiñon also said the provincial government, headed by Gov. Arthur Defender Jr., provided adulticides to the affected towns to curb the spread of dengue.
“May ara naman kita ginhatag sa aton rural health units and hospitals nga mga bulong and dengue test kits para ma-establish naton nga ang kawsa sang hilanat sang pasyente tungod sa dengue,” she added./PN
