ILOILO – The municipality of San Joaquin has recorded the highest number of dengue cases in Iloilo Province, surpassing Leon town, based on data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) as of March 8.
Previously, Leon consistently led in dengue cases. However, in the 10th morbidity week, San Joaquin recorded 69 cases, followed by Oton with 58 cases and one fatality, while Leon ranked third with 56 cases.
“San Joaquin now has the highest dengue cases, which is why we visited this morning and joined the Liga ng mga Barangay meeting, where dengue was the primary concern,” said IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon on March 14.
During the meeting, most barangay captains committed to supporting the anti-dengue campaign through the “Limpyo Kontra Dengue” initiative.
To help curb the rise in dengue cases, IPHO has provided the local government of San Joaquin with spray cans, adulticides, larvicides, dengue test kits, and other forms of assistance.
Quiñon expressed hope that San Joaquin would be able to reduce its dengue cases in the coming days, following the example of Leon, where cases declined after Mayor Ma. Lina Cabana-Holipas issued an executive order implementing a municipal-wide cleanup drive across schools, offices, and government agencies.
“I hope the ‘Alas-Kwatro Kontra Mosquito’ or ‘Limpyo Iloilo Kontra Dengue’ campaigns will continue,” Quiñon added.
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which thrive in tropical climates. It is characterized by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. In severe cases, it can lead to hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which can be fatal.
The virus is contracted when an individual is bitten by a mosquito infected with the dengue virus, often in areas where there are stagnant pools of water, which serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Rising Cases and Deaths
From January 1 to March 8, Iloilo Province recorded 942 dengue cases with seven deaths, an 81-percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, when only 520 cases and two deaths were reported.
The latest fatality was a 27-year-old woman from Barangay Lawis, Balasan, who died on February 27.
The other six dengue-related deaths this year were:
* 47-year-old man from Carles
* two-year-old girl from Tigbauan
* six-year-old boy from Pototan
* 11-month-old baby boy from Oton
* 67-year-old woman from Pototan
* 71-year-old man from Carles
To prevent dengue, it is essential to eliminate mosquito breeding sites around the home by removing standing water from containers, tires, gutters, and other areas where water can accumulate, according to the IPHO.
Residents are also encouraged to use mosquito repellents, wear long-sleeved clothing, and use mosquito nets, especially during early morning and late afternoon when mosquitoes are most active.
Top Municipalities with Dengue Cases
San Joaquin leads with 69 cases, followed by Oton (58 cases, one death), Leon (56), Cabatuan (45), San Dionisio (40), Dumangas (39), Lambunao (34), Ajuy (32), Janiuay (32), and Banate (30).
Other municipalities recorded the following cases: Sara (26), Estancia (25), Pototan (25 with two deaths), Tigbauan (24 with one death), Concepcion (22), Barotac Viejo (21), Calinog (21), Carles (19), Passi City (21), Guimbal (21), Maasin (21), Pavia (21), Barotac Nuevo (19), Batad (19), Miag-ao (19), Santa Barbara (17), Badiangan (16), San Miguel (16), Dingle (15), Balasan (12 with one death), San Rafael (12), Leganes (11), Tubungan (11), Alimodian (10), Anilao (9), Lemery (9), Mina (9), Zarraga (8), Dueñas (7), Igbaras (7), New Lucena (5), San Enrique (5), and Bingawan (2).
Authorities continue to urge residents to participate in cleanup drives and eliminate mosquito breeding sites to curb the spread of dengue./PN
