By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported four dengue-related deaths and 385 cases as of the fifth morbidity week from Jan. 1 to Feb. 1.
This marks a 58% increase from the 244 cases recorded during the same period last year.
According to PHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon, the fatalities included a 67-year-old woman and a six-year-old boy from Pototan, a 71-year-old man from Carles, and an 11-month-old infant from Oton.
Three of them had dengue with warning signs, while the six-year-old boy succumbed to severe dengue.
Quiñon added that one more death is under investigation.
Among the municipalities with the highest number of dengue cases, Cabatuan recorded the most with 22 cases, followed by Leon, Oton, and San Joaquin with 21 cases each (including one fatality in Oton) and Dumangas with 19 cases.
The PHO also identified clustering of cases—three or more infections reported within four consecutive weeks—in 15 municipalities and 18 barangays:
- Banate: Carmelo (6 cases)
- Passi City: Agdahon (4 cases)
- Concepcion: Poblacion (3 cases)
- Dumangas: Cali, Jardin (3 cases)
- Guimbal: Nanga (3 cases)
- Lambunao: Pajo, Pughanan (3 cases)
- Leon: Tacuyong Sur (3 cases)
- Maasin: Sinubsuban (4 cases)
- Oton: Abilay Norte, Botong (4 cases)
- Pavia: Pandac (3 cases)
- San Dionisio: Pase (4 cases)
- San Joaquin: Bucaya (4 cases)
- San Miguel: Barangay 10 (3 cases)
- San Rafael: Poblacion (3 cases)
- Santa Barbara: Talanghauan (3 cases)
Quiñon warned that continued clustering of cases could lead to a further spike in infections and fatalities if not controlled.
“The most affected age group is 1 to 9 years old, making up 40% of total cases, followed by children aged 10 to 19, who account for 26%,” she said.
She noted that Iloilo remains under a dengue outbreak level, first declared in August 2023.
In response, the PHO is intensifying its 4S Strategy to combat the disease:
- Search and Destroy – Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by properly disposing of waste and stagnant water.
- Seek Early Consultation – Visit health centers immediately if experiencing high fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, or bleeding signs.
- Self-Protection Measures – Wear protective clothing and use mosquito repellents to prevent bites.
- Support Fogging Operations – Conduct fogging activities in dengue hotspot areas to reduce mosquito populations.
Quiñon emphasized that the PHO will coordinate with municipal and city health offices to ensure full implementation of dengue control measures.
“Due to the alarming rise in dengue cases, we will strengthen our anti-dengue campaign and ensure that local health units have sufficient test kits, medicines, and essential resources,” she said.
She also urged barangay officials to support the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Health authorities are calling on residents to take dengue prevention seriously by maintaining clean surroundings, staying vigilant, and seeking medical attention for symptoms like dehydration, bleeding, persistent vomiting, or severe abdominal pain.
“Early detection lowers the risk of complications and fatalities,” Quiñon emphasized.
