ILOILO – The province of Iloilo logged 54 dengue cases in the first three weeks of the year – from Jan. 1 to 21, data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed.
The cases were 80 percent higher than the 32 cases and two deaths reported in the same period last year.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO chief, urged Ilonggos: “Mag preparar kita kag mag halong nga indi magdamo ang kaso.”
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that can sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albpictus and Aedes aegypti) that live and breed in clean, stagnant water.
The 10 towns with the highest dengue cases were Estancia (five), Cabatuan (four), Ajuy (four), Barotac Nuevo (four), Pototan (four), Oton (three), Alimodian (three), Balasan (two), Carles (two), and Concepcion (two).
The towns of San Dionisio, Tigbauan, Janiuay, Passi City, Badiangan, Dueñas, and San Miguel recorded two each, while Banate, Batad, Calinog, Dumangas, Lambunao, Pavia, and Santa Barbara had one each.
Here is the demographic breakdown:
* Less than one year old – one case
* One to 10 years old – 27 cases
* 11 to 20 years old – 14 cases
* 21 to 30 years old – seven cases
* 41 years old and above – five cases
Colmenares-Quiñon also said the Iloilo provincial government, headed by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., through IPHO provided adulticides spray for dengue-carrying mosquitos to the towns and one component city here.
“May ara kita ginhatag sa aton Rural Health Units and hospitals nga dengue test kits para ma-establish naton nga ang kawsa sang hilanat sang pasyente tungod ina sa dengue kag indi sa akon ano man nga rason or balatian,” she said.
The IPHO reminded residents anew about the 5S strategy against dengue: search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites; employ self-protection measures; seek early consultation; support fogging/spraying only in hot spot areas; and practice safety and health protocols.
According to the World Health Organization, individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in the vomit, fatigue, and restlessness./PN
