ILOILO – Dengue cases in this province from Jan. 1 this year to May 16 were 82 percent lower compared to the cases recorded in the same period last year.
There were 396 cases in the first five months of 2020 with no deaths, data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed.
In 2019 from Jan. 1 to May 16 , the PHO recorded 2,172 dengue cases with 12 deaths.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. welcomed the sharp drop in cases but urged Ilonggos not to be complacent. He warned them that a surge in dengue cases could further complicate the current situation; he was referring to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Iloilo province currently has 21 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albpictus and Aedes aegypti) that live and breed and clean, stagnant water.
So far, the 20 towns with high dengue cases were the following:
* Estancia – 73
* Carles – 60
* Balasan – 29
* Batad – 23
* San Dionisio – 21
* Pavia – 17
* Oton – 15
* Dumangas – 5
* Calinog – 12
* Sara – 11
* Janiuay – nine
* Passi City – nine
* Badiangan – eight
* Concepcion – six
* Anilao – six
* Barotac Nuevo – six
* Pototan – six
* Banate – six
* Ajuy – six
* Bingawan – five
On the other hand, three municipalities remained dengue-free as of yesterday. They were Zarraga, San Miguel and San Joaquin.
Individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea / vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) recently urged Ilonggos continue the “Limpyo Iloilo” (Clean Iloilo) program in their homes even while under community quarantine to prevent illnesses such as dengue from spreading.
“It is important to always keep our surroundings clean so that the dengue vectors could not thrive,” said Atty. Arturo Cangrejo, PENRO officer-in-charge.
In February, the provincial government launched the “Limpyo Iloilo” 2020, or the simultaneous province-wide cleanup to be held every third Saturday of the month.
The program was conceptualized after a dengue outbreak was declared in the province on July 5 last year.
Governor Defensor said the provincial government does not wish for a dengue outbreak but is nevertheless preparing.
“We are preparing our medicines. We have 875 folding beds in various district hospitals. Dugangan pa naton just in case,” said Defensor.
He reminded each household is urged to follow the 4S strategy in fighting dengue:
* “search and destroy” the breeding places of mosquitoes
* “self-protection” from mosquito bites
* “seek early consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur
* “say yes to fogging” as a last resort when there is a looming outbreak/PN