ILOILO – Following the torrential rains that drenched the province these past two weeks, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) urged Ilonggos anew to search and destroy mosquito breeding places.
“Wala-untat ang pag-ulan, may ara kita stagnant water sa palibot. Indi malikawan nga magdamo man ang lamok carrying the dengue virus kag even Japanese encephalitis,” said IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that can sometimes be fatal. The carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) that live and breed in clean, stagnant water.
As of July 22 this year, the province recorded 796 dengue cases with one death – 193 percent higher than last year’s 271 cases with one death.
The municipalities with the highest dengue cases are Barotac Nuevo (54), Estancia (35), Oton (33), Ajuy (32), Alimodian (32), San Joaquin (29), Calinog (29), Pavia (29), Banate (27), and Dumangas (27).
The number of cases per remaining municipalities/component city are: Barotac Viejo (26), Passi City (26), Leon (26), Cabatuan (23), Carles (22), Sara (22), Janiuay (22), Pototan (21), Igbaras (21), San Dionisio (19), Balasan (18), Santa Barbara (18), Miag-ao (17), Dingle (17), Concepcion (16 with one death), Tigbauan (16), San Miguel (16), Guimbal (15), Lemery (14), Batad (11), Anilao (11), Dueñas (nine), Leganes (eight), Badiangan (eight), San Enrique (seven), Tubungan (seven), Zarraga (seven), Maasin (seven), Bingawan (six), San Rafael (five), New Lucena (four), Lambunao (three), and Mina (one).
The cases per age group:
* less than one year – 41
* 1 to 10 years old – 415
* 11 to 20 years old – 189
* 21 to 30 years old – 75
* 31 to 40 years old – 26
* 41 years and above – 50
“Pangitaon sa sulod kag sagwa sang balay ang stagnant water or any container nga may ara tubig, ulaon para indi na pag-itlogan sang lamok,” Quiñon also said.
Quiñon encouraged using mosquito nets and wearing loose, long, and light-colored clothing.
She reminded parents or guardians to immediately consult at the Rural Health Unit or nearest health facility once their child experiences a fever for two or more days.
According to the World Health Organization, 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 the vomit, fatigue, and restlessness./PN
