By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health and Development (DOH WV CHD) – Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) has reported that dengue cases in Western Visayas have topped 1,800 as of March this year.
From March 17 to 23, the region tallied 229 new dengue cases, bringing the year’s total to 1,830—a 5 percent increase from the 1,742 cases documented in the same timeframe in 2023.
Iloilo province leads the count with 78 new cases, accumulating a total of 559 cases. Negros Occidental is close behind with an additional 36 cases, amounting to 250 in total. Capiz follows with 32 new cases, totaling 260 cases.
Other regions report the following:
– Aklan: 31 new cases, reaching a total of 306 cases.
– Antique: 16 new cases, totaling 171 cases.
– Bacolod City: 13 new cases, totaling 45 cases.
– Iloilo City: 13 new cases, totaling 160 cases.
– Guimaras: 10 new cases, totaling 79 cases.
The region has identified dengue case clusters in 26 barangays.
Children aged 1 to 10 years old represent a notable 41 percent of the total reported cases, raising concerns.
The dengue-related death toll for the region remains at three, with two fatalities in Iloilo Province and one in Aklan.
Health officials are calling for continued vigilance, underscoring the need to destroy mosquito breeding grounds, maintain proper sanitation, and seek immediate medical care when dengue symptoms appear.
