ILOILO – The province of Iloilo has officially declared a dengue outbreak following a significant 320 percent increase in dengue cases compared to the same period last year.
There have been 4,595 cases recorded from January 1 to August 10, 2024, with 10 associated fatalities, data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed.
This marks a sharp rise from the 1,095 cases and one death reported during the same period in 2023.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. confirmed the outbreak during a press conference on Wednesday morning, stating that the province had surpassed both the epidemic and alert thresholds.
“We are in the midst of an outbreak,” he declared.
The most recent data showed a sharp surge – 994 new cases recorded in just one week, from August 4 to August 10.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can vary in severity. Mild cases may cause high fever, rash, and muscle and joint pain, while severe forms, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, can lead to severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock), and death.
Defensor announced that the provincial government, along with the 43 municipalities including Passi City, would escalate dengue response measures. This includes intensified case surveillance and management efforts to swiftly address the growing number of cases.
On August 9, the provincial government issued Memorandum No. 10, which raised the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (PDRRMOC) to blue alert status effective immediately.
The memo directs all member agencies and local disaster risk management councils to enhance monitoring, data consolidation, and timely reporting to coordinate more effectively with relevant agencies and offices.
Governor Defensor also highlighted the ongoing health campaigns that have been in place since January, in anticipation of an increase in dengue cases due to the El Niño phenomenon.
“We continue our surveillance and vigilance, execute fogging in hotspot areas, among other protocols that we already know due to the outbreak, and have placed the province under blue alert status,” Defensor elaborated.
Furthermore, the governor discussed preparations made since late 2023, including the procurement of numerous dengue test kits, IV fluids, and preparation of additional bed space in district hospitals to accommodate a potential surge in dengue patients.
He also mentioned that the province is considering financial assistance to municipalities, especially those with a high number of cases, to enhance their response capacities similar to measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, only Passi City has declared a state of calamity due to the dengue outbreak.
Passi City leads with the highest number of cases at 344 and one death.
Other municipalities with significant case counts include Oton (233 cases), Dingle (210 cases with one death), Lambunao (201 cases with one death), Dumangas (187), Calinog (183), Barotac Nuevo (172 cases with one death), Janiuay (164), Badiangan (161 cases with two deaths), and San Dionisio (144).
Defensor said the provincial government would reassess its resources and capacities to decide on potentially declaring a state of calamity for the entire province.
Other areas with dengue cases are: Cabatuan (132), Lemery (131), Miag-ao (128 cases with two deaths), Sara (128), Pototan (120), Pavia (117), Tigbauan (117), Barotac Viejo (115), Santa Barbara (103), Alimodian (103), Leon (100), Ajuy (87), Batad (85), Banate (80 cases with one death), San Enrique (78), San Miguel (77), Dueñas (75), Mina (73), Estancia (70), Igbaras (65), San Joaquin (65), Bingawan (62), Concepcion (61), Zarraga (59), Anilao (58), Balasan (57), Leganes (57), Maasin (57), Guimbal (47), Carles (39), Tubungan (31), San Rafael (19), and New Lucena (13).
The 10 dengue fatalities so far reported this year are the following:
* six years old, male from Miag-ao
* 16 years old, female from Miag-ao
* four years old, male from Lambunao
* 15 years old, male from Badiangan
* 20 years old, male from Badiangan
* 20 years old, male from Dingle
* eight years old, female from Igbaras
* 41 years old, female from Barotac Nuevo
* three years old, female from Banate
* 10 years old, male from Passi City/PN
