ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has raised alarm over the rising number of dengue cases in the province, particularly in January.
From January 1 to February 1, Iloilo recorded 385 dengue cases with four deaths, marking a 58% increase compared to the 244 cases reported during the same period last year. The fatalities include:
* 67-year-old female from Pototan (January 5)
* six-year-old boy from Pototan (January 15)
* 71-year-old male from Carles (January 22)
* 11-month-old baby boy from Oton (January 29)
“The sharp rise in dengue cases at the start of the year, coupled with four deaths, is concerning. We will further strengthen our campaign against dengue in coordination with our City and Municipal Health Offices (C/MHOs). We need collective action because if we fail to control this, we might surpass last year’s cases and fatalities,” said IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon.
Last year, Iloilo Province recorded 11,855 dengue cases with 33 deaths – a 542% increase from the 1,848 cases with two deaths reported in 2023.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding.
Severe cases can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which may result in internal bleeding, organ impairment, and even death.
Highest-Affected Areas
The municipalities with the highest dengue cases so far this year are:
* Cabatuan – 22
* Leon – 21
* Oton – 21 (with one death)
* San Joaquin – 21
* Dumangas – 19
* Barotac Viejo – 16
* Estancia – 13
* Banate – 13
* Janiuay – 13
* Santa Barbara – 13
Other areas with recorded cases include Passi City, Lambunao, Pavia, Tigbauan, San Dionisio, Sara, Batad, Maasin, Ajuy, Barotac Nuevo, Guimbal, Miag-ao, Pototan (with two deaths), San Miguel, Alimodian, Calinog, Carles (with one death), Dingle, Balasan, Concepcion, Leganes, Mina, Badiangan, Lemery, San Enrique, San Rafael, Anilao, New Lucena, Dueñas, and Igbaras.
As of February 1, Bingawan remains the only municipality in the province without a recorded dengue case.
From January 26 to February 1 alone, 124 new cases were reported, bringing the total to 385 cases since the beginning of the year.
Intensified Measures
To curb the spread of dengue, IPHO and health personnel from the 43 local government units (LGUs) will conduct aggressive information drives and implement the Department of Health’s 4S strategy:
* search and destroy mosquito breeding places
* secure self-protection by wearing long sleeves or using insect repellent
* seek early consultation when symptoms appear
* support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas where cases are increasing
Quiñon emphasized the need for Rural Health Units (RHUs) across the province to allocate funds for dengue test kits, medicines, and advocacy campaign materials.
“We urge the public to take dengue prevention seriously by keeping their surroundings clean, especially around homes and schools, to eliminate mosquito breeding sites,” she said.
Quiñon also called on barangay officials to actively lead the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue initiative and encouraged residents to seek immediate medical consultation if experiencing fever for two or more days.
Clustering of Dengue Cases
IPHO data shows that 12 areas have reported dengue case clustering, meaning at least three cases occurred within four consecutive weeks in specific barangays:
* Banate – Barangay Carmelo (six cases)
* Passi City – Barangay Agdahon (four cases)
* Dumangas – Barangay Cali (three) and Barangay Jardin (three)
* Guimbal – Barangay Nanga (three)
* Lambunao – Barangay Pajo (three) and Barangay Pughanan (three)
* Maasin – Barangay Sinubsuban (four)
* Oton – Barangay Abilay Norte (three) and Barangay Botong (four)
* Pavia – Barangay Pandac (three)
* San Dionisio – Barangay Pase (four)
* San Joaquin – Barangay Bucaya (four)
* San Miguel – Barangay 10 (three)
* Santa Barbara – Barangay Talanghuan (three)
Quiñon reiterated the importance of early medical consultation, urging residents experiencing dengue symptoms to seek medical attention immediately at their local RHUs to prevent severe complications and deaths./PN
