ILOILO — The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is raising alarms over an expected increase in dengue cases starting this July, with a forecasted peak in August.
Historical data mirrors this trend, said Dr. Rodney Labis, chief of the IPHO Health Service Delivery Division.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness caused by the dengue virus. Spread by the Aedes mosquito, particularly Aedes aegypti, it is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms range from mild fever to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash.
Despite the rising numbers, the province remains below both the epidemic and alert thresholds. Current data shows that for the 27th morbidity week of June 29 to July 6, the province recorded 245 cases, significantly below the alert threshold of 862 cases.
The epidemic threshold, set at 1,415 cases for the same period, saw only 128 cases reporting signs and symptoms within that week.
Labis emphasized that while the province is far from a dengue outbreak, the anticipated rise in July and August necessitates stronger preventive measures and early detection strategies to manage the anticipated surge and prevent fatalities.
The focus is on averting an increase in deaths during these months, which can be achieved by enhancing early detection of dengue cases in the community and ensuring timely referral to appropriate health facilities, he said.
At the municipal level, the gravity of the situation is more palpable with Badiangan, Lemery, and Passi City reaching the alert threshold for dengue cases. In response, IPHO is concentrating on municipalities with high dengue cases to provide timely intervention and assistance, including medicines, IV fluids, and manpower.
Public behavior plays a significant role in managing dengue cases, Dr. Labis noted. A noticeable trend is the public’s complacency during dips in case numbers, followed by reactive measures when cases rise. This cyclical behavior is what IPHO aims to change by advocating for year-round vigilance, particularly practicing the 4S strategy against dengue: search and destroy breeding places; self-protection measures; seek early treatment; and say yes to fogging during outbreaks.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has previously issued an executive order mandating all 43 municipalities and Passi City to conduct the “4 o’clock habit”, a routine cleanup activity aimed at eliminating potential breeding grounds.
From January 1 to July 6 of this year, the province registered 1,708 dengue cases with five fatalities, marking a 106 percent increase from the same period in 2023, which recorded only 829 cases. The municipalities with the highest incidences include Lambunao, with 121 cases and one death, followed by Passi City (97), Badiangan (87 cases with two death), Calinog (81), Oton (74), Miag-ao (59 cases with two deaths), Lemery (56), Dumangas (55), Janiuay (53), and Dingle (54).
Moreover, a clustering of cases was noted in 46 barangays across 23 municipalities, indicating localized outbreaks.
Clustering means three or more dengue cases in four consecutive reporting week period.
* Ajuy – Poblacion (four), Progreso (three), and San Antonio (three)
* Anilao – Mostro (eight)
* Badiangan – Odiongan (three), Astorga (nine), Cabayogan (five), Iniligan (four), and Magdalo (six)
* Barotac Nuevo – Tabucan (nine) and Talisay (three)
* Barotac Viejo – Vista Alegre (five) and Poblacion (four)
* Bingawan – Vista Alegre (five)
* Cabatuan – Tabucan (four), Talanghauan (four) and Zone XI Poblacion (five)
* Calinog – Jamin-ay (eight) and Simsiman (three)
* Passi City – Agdahon (10), Imbang Grande (five), and Man-it (four)
* Concepcion – Bacjawan Sur (three),
* Dingle – Poblacion (three), San Jose (five), Tanghawan (four), Tabugon (three), and Tinocuan (four)
* Dumangas – Calao (five) and Pagdugue (five)
* Janiuay – Jibolo (four) and Madong (three)
* Lambunao – Bontoc (seven), Magbato (four), Pajo (three), Tranghawan (four), and Walang (three)
* Lemery – Poblacion Zone (three)
* Leon – (Buga (four)
* Maasin – Amerang (seven)
* Oton – Tagbac Sur (four)
* Pavia – Jibao-an (three)
* Pototan – Rumbang (four)
* San Dionisio – San Nicolas (three) and Siempreviva (three)
* Tigbauan – Dorong-on (three)/PN
