ILOILO – This province has recorded another dengue-related death, bringing the total fatalities this year to 33.
The latest victim, a 44-year-old woman from San Rafael town, passed away on December 1 due to hypovolemic shock caused by dengue hemorrhagic fever, according to Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon.
From January 1 to December 7, Iloilo logged 11,550 dengue cases, a 566% increase compared to the same period last year, which had 1,734 cases and two deaths.
The fatalities were distributed across several municipalities: Barotac Nuevo (four deaths), Badiangan (three), Igbaras (three), Miag-ao (two), Concepcion (two), Guimbal (two), Banate (two), Sara (two), and one death each in Calinog, Dingle, Lambunao, Santa Barbara, San Dionisio, Pavia, Lemery, Estancia, Tubungan, and San Rafael.
The component city of Passi reported two fatalities.
Areas with the highest number of dengue cases so far this year are:
* Oton – 691 cases
* Passi City – 674 cases (two deaths)
* Leon – 535 cases
* Calinog – 499 cases (one death)
* Janiuay – 491 cases
* Dingle – 464 cases (one death)
* Lambunao – 461 cases (one death)
* Barotac Nuevo – 389 cases (four deaths)
* Dumangas – 382 cases
* Tigbauan – 376 cases
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus, primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding.
Severe cases can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever, characterized by bleeding, plasma leakage, and organ impairment, which can be fatal.
Dr. Quiñon reiterated the importance of practicing the 4S strategy to combat dengue:
* search and destroy mosquito breeding places
* secure self-protection by wearing long sleeves or using insect repellents
* seek early consultation when symptoms appear
* support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas where cases are increasing
Thirty-three other municipalities also reported significant case numbers, with some recording fatalities: Santa Barbara (373 with one death), Miag-ao (329 with two deaths), Pavia (329 with one death), Cabatuan (321), San Dionisio (284 with one death), Badiangan (270 with three deaths), Barotac Viejo (267), Sara (260 with two deaths), Pototan (252), Igbaras (245 with three deaths), Banate (244 with two deaths), Alimodian (233), Lemery (232 with one death), Dueñas (220), San Joaquin (207), Ajuy (193), Batad (189), Guimbal (187 with two deaths), San Miguel (179), Estancia (171 with one death, Maasin (168), San Enrique (159), Anilao (158), Balasan (145 with one death), Concepcion (135 with two deaths), Leganes (133), Bingawan (132), Zarraga (132), Mina (125), Tubungan (105 with one death), Carles (97), New Lucena (64), and San Rafael (50 with one death)./PN
