BY IME SORNITO
ILOILO City – Dengue cases across Western Visayas have surpassed 20,000, the Department of Health (DOH) has reported.
From January 1 to August 31, the region recorded 20,814 cases, resulting in 51 deaths – a 264 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 which saw 5,711 cases and 25 deaths.
The last week of August alone witnessed 2,758 new cases. Here’s a breakdown of these cases by province and highly urbanized city:
* Aklan – 184 cases
* Antique – 99 cases
* Capiz – 276 cases
* Guimaras – 222 cases
* Iloilo – 1,019 cases
* Iloilo City – 289 cases
* Negros Occidental – 432 cases
* Bacolod City – 237 cases
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection and may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.
In severe cases, it can develop into life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome.
In response to the rising dengue cases, DOH Region 6 has issued advisories on managing hospital surge capacity to prevent healthcare facilities from being overwhelmed.
Hospitals are advised to admit only those patients whose conditions are assessed as severe, while others can be managed through outpatient care.
As for the cumulative data for the year, the distribution of the 20,814 cases and 51 deaths are as follows:
* Iloilo – 8,039 cases, 23 deaths
* Negros Occidental – 3,296 cases, 10 deaths
* Capiz – 2,104 cases, 5 deaths
* Aklan – 2,103 cases, 3 deaths
* Guimaras – 1,668 cases, 1 death
* Iloilo City – 1,407 cases, 4 deaths
* Antique – 1,111 cases, 2 deaths
* Bacolod City – 1,086 cases, 3 deaths
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, head of the Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease (EREID) division of DOH-6, explained the higher case numbers in Iloilo Province, attributing it to its large geographic area and population.
She also noted that while Iloilo Province has high figures, other provinces like Guimaras have seen more substantial relative increases in cases.
Meanwhile, clustering of cases, indicating three or more cases within a four-week period, is reported in 998 barangays across the region. The number of barangays with clustering of cases per province and city include: Aklan (71), Antique (29), Capiz (108), Guimaras (66), Iloilo (449), Iloilo City (98), Negros Occidental (148), and Bacolod City (29).
Natalaray emphasizes the importance of sustaining the 4S strategy against dengue, which includes searching and destroying mosquito breeding sites, self-protection measures, seeking early treatment, and supporting fogging during outbreaks.
Furthermore, 21 barangays have been identified as hotspots, which are areas with sustained cases or clustering of cases accompanied by recorded deaths. These include Tondog in Tangalan and Aranas in Balete (Aklan); Banica in Roxas City and Lacaron in Dao (Capiz); multiple barangays across Iloilo municipalities Igbaras (Jovellar), Passi City (Poblacion Ilaya and Punong), Calinog (Cabugao), Barotac Nuevo (Cabilauan, Lico-an, and Guintas), San Dionisio (Tiabas), Estancia (Poblacion Zone 1), Sara (Muyco), Banate (Magdalo), Guimbal (Particion), and Ajuy (Punete Bunglas); Sambag, South Fundidor, and Tacas (Iloilo City); and Barangay 16 in Bacolod City./PN
