ILOILO – The province has reported a sharp increase in dengue cases, with 1,294 infections and five deaths recorded from January 1 to June 22 this year.
The latest data showed a 79 percent rise compared to the same period last year, which saw 723 cases.
In just the week from June 15 to 22, the province registered 115 new cases spread across several towns. The breakdown of these new cases includes Lambunao (10), Oton (six), and Badiangan (six), among others, contributing significantly to the surge.
Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, causing severe flu-like symptoms and, in extreme cases, death.
Symptoms include a sudden high fever of 104 Fahrenheit degrees, severe headache, nausea or persistent vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes, and red spots or patches on the skin.
The municipalities with the highest incidence of dengue this year are Lambunao, reporting 88 cases with one fatality, followed by Passi City with 69 cases, and Oton with 67 cases.
Particularly concerning are Badiangan and Miag-ao, which have recorded multiple deaths.
A cluster of cases has been identified in 14 barangays, including San Antonio in Ajuy and Poblacion in Badiangan, indicating localized outbreaks.
The most affected age groups are children one to 10 years old, with 535 cases, and adolescents 11 to 20 years old, with 371 cases.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), emphasized the importance of the 4S strategy against dengue, which includes searching and destroying mosquito-breeding sites, wearing protective clothing, seeking early treatment, and supporting strategic fogging in hotspot areas.
Quiñon specifically urged the public to eliminate breeding grounds, especially during the rainy season when stagnant water can become a common breeding site for mosquitoes.
She also called for active community participation in cleanliness drives under the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) initiative.
Furthermore, Quiñon reiterated the need for parents to seek immediate medical attention if their children exhibit fever for more than two days, to promptly determine if it is dengue.
Here’s the complete breakdown of the 115 new dengue cases: Lambunao (10), Oton (six), Passi City (two), Miag-ao (two), Badiangan (six), Calinog (five), Lemery (five), Estancia (three), Dumangas (four), Ajuy (nine), Dingle (eight), Sara (three), Janiuay (five), Banate (three), Pavia (one), Leon (one), Carles (one), San Dionisio (two), San Joaquin (four), Balasan (one), Santa Barbara (four), Cabatuan (six), Barotac Viejo (two), Tigbauan (one), Barotac Nuevo (two), Maasin (five), Igbaras (one), Alimodian (three), Batad (one), Leganes (one), Mina (two), Anilao (two), Dueñas (one), Guimbal (one), Pototan (two), San Miguel (one), and San Rafael (two).
Meanwhile, here are the 10 towns that recorded the most dengue cases since January: Lambunao with 88 cases with one death, Passi City (69), Oton (67), Badiangan (62 cases with two deaths), Calinog (61), Miag-ao (55 cases with two deaths), Lemery (51), Estancia (43), Dumangad (41), and Ajuy (40).
On the other hand, the 14 barangays with clustering of cases are:
* San Antonio, Ajuy – three
* Poblacion, Badiangan – three
* Odiongan, Badiagan – nine
* Astorga, Badiangan – six
* Sianon, Badiangan – three
* Sinuagan, Badiangan – three
* Libertad, Banate – three
* Agdahon, Passi City – six
* Tabugon, Dingle – six
* Tanghawan, Dingle – three
* Tagbac Sur, Oton – five
* Jibolo, Janiuay – three
* Bontos, Lambunao – three
* Amerang, Maasin – seven
By age, here are the most affected groups:
* one to 10 years old – 535 cases
* 11 to 20 years old – 371 cases
* 21 to 30 years old – 166 cases
* 31 to 40 years old – 33 cases
* less than one year old – 61 cases
* above 61 years old – 45 cases
* 41 to 50 years old – 31 cases
* 51 to 60 years old – 23 cases/PN
