ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has activated the Regional Dengue Task Force and bolstered inter-agency collaboration to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response strategies as dengue cases continue to surge.
During a virtual press conference on Monday morning, August 12, led by Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, Medical Officer IV and head of the Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease (EREID) unit of DOH Region 6, it was announced that multiple agencies have been mobilized to address the escalating situation.
The task force includes several units of DOH-6 such as the Surveillance, Supply, Communications Management, and Health Facility Development units, all playing integral roles in dengue response.
Additionally, the inter-agency collaboration involves at least 12 government bodies including the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Information Agency, and others, conducting meetings to enhance dengue prevention efforts.
As of August 3, 2024, the Regional Epidemiologic Surveillance Unit (RESU) reported a total of 10,188 dengue cases with 1,743 new cases for morbidity week 31, marking a 114 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
There have been 20 reported deaths, representing a 0.2 percent case fatality rate.
The most affected age group is 1 to 10 years old, making up 36 percent of the total cases.
Natalaray emphasized the need to focus prevention activities on school-aged children, particularly by extending the 4S strategy in schools.
The 4S strategy includes searching and destroying mosquito breeding sites, self-protection measures, seeking early consultation for symptoms, and supporting fogging and spraying efforts.
Here is a breakdown of the dengue cases per province and highly-urbanized city as of the latest data:
* Aklan – 1,319 cases, one death
* Antique – 637 cases, one death
* Capiz – 1,083 cases, three deaths
* Guimaras – 809 cases, one death
* Iloilo – 3,914 cases, six deaths
* Negros Occidental – 1,584 cases, six deaths
* Bacolod City – 360 cases, one death
* Iloilo City – 482 cases, one death
In response, DOH-6 has implemented several measures including training for health workers in dengue case management and vector surveillance, deploying monitoring teams to hotspot areas, and distributing mosquito control and diagnostic commodities to Local Government Units.
Dr. Ma. Sophia S. Pulmones, officer-in-charge director IV of DOH-6, endorsed the renewed emphasis on the 4S Strategy, particularly as the new school year begins, to bolster the community’s defenses against the dengue virus.
Region-wide 523 barangays reported clustering of dengue cases in the following provinces and cities: Aklan (64), Antique (16), Capiz (51), Guimaras (46), Iloilo Province (234), Iloilo City (23), Negros Occidental (76), and Bacolod City (14).
“Ma-consider naton ang barangays nga may clustering of cases kon there are more than two ang kaso sa isa ka bulan sa sina nga barangay,” said Natalaray./PN
