ILOILO – Four municipalities registered a clustering of dengue cases.
Clustering refers to three or more cases recorded within a four-consecutive-week period.
From morbidity week 28 (July 15) to morbidity week 31 (Aug. 5), the towns of Alimodian, Barotac Nuevo, Janiuay, and Pavia showed dengue clustering, data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed.
Here are the barangays with clustering of dengue cases in the four towns:
* Barangay Poblacion in Alimodian (six cases)
* Barangay Bungca in Barotac Nuevo (four cases)
* Barangay San Julian in Janiuay (three cases)
* Barangay Jibao-an in Pavia (three cases)
Dengue cases also saw a slight increase — from July 29 to Aug. 5 (morbidity week 31), there were 50 new cases; from July 22 to July 29 (morbidity week 30), there were 40 new cases.
“May pagtaas ang kaso sang dengue compared last few weeks ago. Last week 40 lang, but this week 50 na,” said Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO head.
The recent rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon may have created breeding places for mosquitoes and caused a slight increase in dengue cases.
Here, the public is reminded to practice the 5S strategy against dengue: search and destroy breeding places, seek early treatment, self-protection measures, say yes to fogging if there is an outbreak, and sustain hydration.
Quiñon also advocates for the World Health Organization’s campaign against dengue, which focuses on cleaning up mosquito breeding places at least once a week.
These are the following:
* Empty water storage containers, scrub the insides, and reseal carefully after refilling.
* Clean the insides of flower vases, plant pots, or pet bowls and change the water.
* Clean drains and gutters.
* Dispose of any unused containers and objects that can accumulate water.
* Turn over any containers that cannot be thrown away and protect them from rain.
Even a bottle cap can contain enough water for a mosquito to breed.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that can sometimes be fatal.
It is characterized by the sudden onset of a high fever (104 Fahrenheit degrees) and at least two of the following symptoms:
* severe headache
* nausea or persistent vomiting
* swollen glands
* muscle, bone and joint pain
* pain behind the eyes
* red spots or patches on the skin.
Here are the municipalities with the highest dengue cases as of Aug. 5 this year:
* Barotac Nuevo – 60 cases
* Oton – 40 cases
* San Joaquin – 37 cases
* Estancia – 35 cases
* Alimodian – 35 cases
* Ajuy – 33 cases
* Dumangas – 33 cases
* Calinog – 31 cases
* Pavia – 29 cases
* Barotac Viejo – 29 cases
Here are the remaining cases: Leon (28), Banate (27), Cabatuan (27), Igbaras (27), Passi City (26), Janiuay (26), Sara (25), Dingle (25), San Dionisio (23), Carles (22), Concepcion (22 cases with one death), Pototan (21), San Miguel (20), Guimbal (19), Balasan (18), Miag-ao (18), Santa Barbara (17), Tigbauan (17), Lemery (17), Anilao (14), Batad (11), Duenas (nine), Leganes (eight), Badiangan (eight), Maasin (eight), San Enrique (seven), Tubungan (seven), Zarraga (seven), Bingawan (seven), San Rafael (five), New Lucena (four), Lambunao (three), and Mina (one).
As of Aug. 5, the province logged 886 dengue cases with one death — 191.4 percent higher than last year’s 304 cases with one death./PN
