By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) projects that dengue cases in the province could reach 21,000, with 65 fatalities by the end of 2025 if the current upward trend continues.
During the 10th morbidity week report covering Jan. 1 to March 8, the province recorded 942 cases and seven deaths, marking an 81% increase from the 520 cases reported in the same period last year.
“This 81% increase is very alarming because, based on last year’s data, our cases were already high, prompting the province to declare an outbreak in August 2024,” said Dr. Rodney Labis, chief of the Health Service Delivery Division of IPHO, in a local radio interview.
“Based on our 2025 projection, if cases continue to rise at this rate, we could see 21,000 cases by year-end, with 65 possible deaths based on our calculated fatality rate,” he added.
Dr. Labis noted that final numbers would depend on the effectiveness of efforts to curb the disease’s spread.
Among 42 municipalities and one component city, San Joaquin recorded the highest number of cases at 69, reflecting a 245% increase, followed by Oton (58 cases), Leon (56), and Cabatuan (45).
In terms of fatalities, two deaths were reported in Pototan and Carles, while Oton, Tigbauan, and Balasan recorded one death each.
The victims included:
A 27-year-old female from Balasan
A 47-year-old male from Carles
A 2-year-old female from Tigbauan
A 6-year-old male from Pototan
An 11-month-old baby boy from Oton
A 67-year-old female from Pototan
A 71-year-old male from Carles
The number of barangays with clustering cases—defined as three or more cases within a four-week period—rose to 20 across 13 municipalities.
Children aged 1 to 9 years accounted for 38% of total cases, while those aged 10 to 19 years made up 31%.
2025 marks the third year in the dengue cycle, a period historically linked to increased cases.
In response, the IPHO is strengthening preventive measures and urging communities to follow the 4S Strategy—Search and destroy breeding sites, Seek early consultation, Self-protection measures, and Support fogging in outbreak areas.
As part of their efforts, IPHO officials visited San Joaquin for a meeting with local leaders, where 65 out of 85 barangay captains pledged to intensify anti-dengue efforts.
They also distributed spray cans, adulticides, and larvicides for mosquito control.
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon urged local government units (LGUs) to actively participate in the province’s clean-up campaign, “Limpyo Iloilo Kontra Dengue,” as well as the Department of Health’s “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito!” initiative.
She also praised Leon’s dengue response, citing its mayor’s executive order mandating a town-wide clean-up drive involving schools, agencies, and offices.
As a result, Leon—once the hardest-hit area—now ranks third after a significant decrease in cases.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said his office is assessing whether a state of calamity declaration is necessary, despite previously expressing plans for such an announcement.
