ILOILO – Following closely after Passi City, Tigbauan has become the second local government unit in the province of Iloilo to declare a state of calamity due to dengue outbreak.
The declaration was made during the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan on Wednesday, where Resolution No. 2024-135 was passed.
According to the latest report from the Municipal Health Office covering the 32nd morbidity week (January 1, 2024, to August 10, 2024), Tigbauan has experienced a dramatic increase in dengue cases, with 117 recorded incidents and identified clustering in seven barangays: Baguingin, Buyu-an, Dorong-an, Bitas, 3 Poblacion, 2 Poblacion, and Napnapan Norte.
This marks a 550 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, which saw only 18 cases.
Vice Mayor Lugen Ortilano emphasized the necessity of the declaration, noting, “Given the magnitude of its effect, and the necessity to immediately address and prevent further increase of dengue cases in the municipality, it is imperative that the entire municipality be declared under the state of calamity.”
Dengue fever, transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with a dengue virus, causes flu-like symptoms including severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash.
More severe forms can develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal.
Across the province of Iloilo, the situation appears grim. As of the latest data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), there have been 4,595 dengue cases with 10 deaths since the beginning of the year, representing a 320 percent increase from the 1,095 cases reported during the same period last year./PN
