ILOILO – The dengue situation in district hospitals remains manageable despite a surge in dengue cases across the province, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
Defensor checked four provincial government-run hospitals in the 3rd District on August 22 and found out that the number of their confined dengue patients have dropped.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness, sometimes leading to potentially lethal complications, commonly referred to as severe dengue.
The four hospitals were the Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan; Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Janiuay; Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial Hospital in Lambunao; and the Dr. Ricardo S. Provido Memorial District Hospital in Calinog.
Just last week, the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas issued new guidelines on hospital admissions for dengue patients following a significant rise in cases across the region. The aim is to prevent overcrowding at tertiary and district hospitals, explained Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, medical officer IV and head of the Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease (EREID) unit of DOH Region 6.
The four hospitals that Defensor checked reported a decline in hospitalized dengue patients – from 17 to 11 in Cabatuan; from 26 to 11 in Janiuay; from 11 to 8 in Lambunao; and from 40 to 33 in Calnog.
Not all dengue patients require hospitalization, Natalaray clarified, adding that patients are classified as either without warning signs or with warning signs.
“It is important that parents and healthcare workers know how to recognize the warning signs of dengue,” said Natalaray.
According to the new protocol, patients showing warning signs as assessed by a doctor should be admitted to the hospital for case management.
Warning signs include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums and nose, vomiting blood, and fatigue.
Conversely, patients without these signs can be managed as outpatients or remain at home, provided they have regular follow-ups at their local Rural Health Unit (RHU).
For those not exhibiting severe symptoms, Natalaray advised ensuring adequate fluid intake as prescribed by doctors and monitoring for any changes, such as the need to urinate every six hours.
Defensor emphasized the need for continuous monitoring and preparedness.
The provincial government has been preparing in three critical areas: availability of IV fluids, dengue test kits, and hospital beds.
The province is currently under a state of calamity due to dengue outbreak, allowing for the use of calamity funds for medical supplies.
Following the declaration of a state of calamity, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a P13.6-million calamity fund requested by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC). This fund will support dengue response efforts, including the purchase of IV fluids, knapsack sprayers for anti-dengue chemical sprays in 43 municipalities, and dengue test kits.
Defensor also reiterated the importance of public participation in preventing dengue cases and deaths. He highlighted three preventive measures: destroying mosquito breeding sites, wearing long, light-colored clothing to protect against mosquito bites, and seeking prompt medical consultation at Rural Health Units if fever symptoms arise.
The province has recorded a 418 percent increase in dengue cases compared to the previous year, with 5,836 incidents and 10 deaths from January 1 to August 17, 2024.
Areas with the highest dengue cases so far this year are the following: Passi City (437 cases with one death), Oton (300), Calinog (238), Janiuay (231), Dumangas (231), Dingle (227 cases with one death), Lambunao (216 cases with one death), Barotac Nuevo (203 cases with one death), Badiangan (183 cases with two deaths), and Leon (180).
Other municipalities with cases are: Miag-ao (164 cases with two deaths), San Dionisio (164), Santa Barbara (160), Barotac Viejo (156), Pavia (153), Lemery (149), Tigbauan (149), Sara (147), Igbaras (146 cases with one death), Alimodian (138), Cabatuan (136), Pototan (134), Dueñas (125), Banate (124 cases with one death), San Miguel (110), Batad (108), Ajuy (100), San Joaquin (90), San Enrique (86), Mina (85), Estancia (83), Balasan (79), Leganes (75), Bingawan (73), Maasin (67), Zarraga (67), Concepcion (65), Anilao (61), Guimbal (58), Carles (45), Tubungan (43), San Rafael (27), and New Lucena (23).
As for dengue fatalities, the IPHO recorded 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
