ILOILO City – The number of dengue cases in Western Visayas this year has reached 7,096, along with 26 deaths, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 2.
This represents a 53 percent decrease in cases from the same period last year (14,962), data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed.
In the week from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, 2023 (Morbidity Week No. 48), there were 56 new cases of dengue in the region.
Here is the breakdown of this year’s dengue cases by province and highly urbanized city (HUC):
* Aklan – 1,086 cases, with four deaths
* Antique – 447 cases
* Bacolod City – 553 cases, with three deaths
* Capiz – 866 cases, with four deaths
* Guimaras – 220 cases, with one death
* Iloilo City – 1,052 cases, with three deaths
* Iloilo Province – 1,638 cases, with two deaths
* Negros Occidental – 1,234 cases, with nine deaths
The areas with the highest number of newly reported dengue cases are:
* Iloilo City – 15 new cases (1,052 total cases)
* Aklan – 13 new cases (1,086 total cases)
* Iloilo Province – 10 new cases (1,638 total cases)
* Bacolod City – 10 new cases (553 total cases)
As of Dec. 2, no new dengue fatalities have been recorded, keeping the total regional death count at 26, according to DOH-6.
Furthermore, 44 barangays in Western Visayas have experienced a clustering of dengue cases, defined as three or more cases reported within the last four consecutive weeks.
DOH-6 is urging the public to continue observing the 4S strategy against dengue. This includes searching for and destroying mosquito breeding sites; taking self-protection measures, such as wearing trousers and long-sleeved shirts, and using mosquito repellent daily; seeking early treatment; and supporting fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak./PN
