ILOILO – Dengue case numbers have not yet dropped to a level where Ilonggos can already relax, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
Thus, with only 10 weeks remaining in 2024, the IPHO has reminded residents to maintain rigorous efforts in searching for and eliminating mosquito breeding sites to further reduce dengue cases across the province.
From January 1 to October 19, 2024, Iloilo Province recorded 10,530 dengue cases with 29 fatalities, marking a 624% increase compared to the same period last year, which saw 1,454 cases and two deaths.
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Symptoms typically include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. In severe cases, dengue can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can lead to blood plasma leakage, organ impairment, and even death.
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon emphasized the ongoing severity of the situation, saying, “We are still under a state of calamity, and case numbers have not yet dropped to a level where we can relax.”
The trend shows a gradual decrease in cases following the peak from August 4-10, when the province reported 1,122 cases. Weekly cases have since declined from August 11 to October 19 as follows:
* August 11-17 – 1,052 cases
* August 18-24 – 752 cases
* August 25-31 – 693 cases
* September 1-7 – 529 cases
* September 8-14 – 334 cases
* September 15-21 – 117 cases
* September 22-28 – 241 cases
* September 29-October 5 – 96 cases
* October 6-12 – 162 cases
* October 13-19 – 59 cases
Quiñon noted that “the most effective and cost-free method to curb dengue is simply inspecting homes and eliminating breeding sites.”
This year, Passi City, Oton, Calinog, and Leon are among the municipalities with the highest number of cases, as detailed below:
* Passi City – 657 cases, 2 deaths
* Oton – 626 cases
* Calinog – 459 cases, 1 death
* Leon – 452 cases
* Lambunao – 437 cases, 1 death
* Dingle – 436 cases, 1 death
* Janiuay – 421 cases
* Barotac Nuevo – 383 cases, 4 deaths
* Dumangas – 358 cases
* Santa Barbara – 336 cases, 1 death
Other municipalities also reported notable cases, with Tigbauan (330 cases), Miag-ao (308 cases, 2 deaths), and Pavia (302 cases, 1 death) among them.
The others are Cabatuan (296), San Dionisio (261 with one death), Barotac Viejo (258), Pototan (248), Banate (238 with two deaths), Badiangan (235 with three deaths), Sara (227 with one death), Dueñas (216), Alimodian (214), Lemery (212 with one death), Igbaras (209 with two death), Batad (177), San Miguel (166), Ajuy (165), San Joaquin (163), San Enrique (156), Anilao (154), Guimbal (152 with one death), Maasin (143), Estancia (130 with one death), Zarraga (126), Balasan (125 with one death), Bingawan (125), Leganes (122), Concepcion (110 with two deaths), Mina (119), Tubungan (90 with one death), Carles (78), New Lucena (59), and San Rafael (41)./PN
