ILOILO – Despite regular cleaning claims by residents, the true breeding sites of dengue mosquitoes often lie in overlooked household and outdoor areas like drums and discarded tires on roofs, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
The IPHO made this discovery during recent inspections of 43 municipalities, including Passi City.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the IPHO, said the most common mosquito breeding sites include trash, blocked drainage, and containers such as water storage drums and discarded vehicle tires.
Even the most innocuous items like bottles can serve as breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector of the dengue virus, said Quiñon.
She emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach beyond simple sweeping, urging the community to adopt a proactive “search and destroy” strategy against these breeding places.
Dengue fever continues to ravage Iloilo, with a 320% increase in cases compared to last year, according to the IPHO.
From January 1 to August 10, 2024, the province recorded 4,595 cases and 10 deaths, a significant rise from the 1,095 cases and single fatality during the same period in 2023.
The rise in dengue cases has been particularly severe in areas like Barotac Viejo, Banate, Passi City, Concepcion, and Batad, often linked to inadequate water storage practices in communities where residents do not sleep at home due to work commitments.
The recent data includes a new fatality from Barotac Nuevo, bringing the total deaths this year to 11. The victims range in age and include:
* a six-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl from Miag-ao
* a four-year-old boy from Lambunao
* two 20-year-old men and a 15-year-old boy from Badiangan
* an eight-year-old girl from Igbaras
* a 41-year-old woman from Barotac Nuevo
* a three-year-old girl from Banate
* a 10-year-old boy from Passi City
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It presents flu-like symptoms including high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle, and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.
In severe cases, it can develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal if not treated appropriately.
Quiñon called for a unified community effort to combat the spread of dengue, stressing that it is not just a battle for health authorities but for every resident of the province.
“The danger is real and growing, and it requires the concerted effort of the entire community to halt the spread of this life-threatening disease,” she said./PN
