By Mariela Angella Oladive
Amid a surge in dengue cases, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is urging the public to support the Department of Health’s (DOH) nationwide “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” campaign, which promotes eliminating mosquito breeding sites every Monday at 4 p.m.
Launching today, Feb. 24, the initiative calls on government offices, schools, barangays, and communities to participate in a province-wide Search and Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites Kickoff Event to curb the spread of dengue.
With the province exceeding both alert and epidemic thresholds, health officials stress the urgency of sustained community participation in preventive measures.
The campaign aims to instill a habit of environmental cleanliness and vector control to reduce mosquito-borne infections.
CASES SURGE BY 77%
All 42 municipalities and one component city in Iloilo have reported dengue cases, with 592 infections and five deaths recorded from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15.
This marks a 77% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The hardest-hit municipalities include:
Leon – 33 cases
Oton – 32 cases (1 death)
San Joaquin – 32 cases
Dumangas – 31 cases
Cabatuan – 28 cases
Lambunao – 24 cases
San Dionisio – 23 cases
Banate – 20 cases
Janiuay – 19 cases
Tigbauan – 19 cases (1 death)
The province’s latest fatality is a 2-year-old girl from Tigbauan. Other deaths have been reported in Pototan, Carles, and Oton, affecting individuals from infancy to old age.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Qui√±on, IPHO head, warned that dengue cases are expected to continue rising due to the region’s three-year dengue outbreak cycle.
The IPHO urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience dengue symptoms, including sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding.
To combat dengue, the public is encouraged to follow the 4S strategy:
-Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites
-Secure self-protection by wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent
-Seek early consultation for symptoms like high fever, headache, and rashes
-Support fogging in areas with high case numbers
Quiñon assured that dengue patients can avail themselves of free consultations and treatment at all district and government hospitals in the province, as mandated by an executive order from Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
Additionally, PhilHealth covers up to PHP19,500 for dengue treatment and PHP47,000 for severe cases.
“Let’s not wait for the situation to worsen. We need to act now to prevent more people from falling victim to this deadly disease,” Quiñon said.
