ILOILO — Although dengue cases in Iloilo Province have dropped sharply this year, health authorities are warning against complacency after recording 873 cases and six deaths from January to June 2026, with eight municipalities now under dengue clustering surveillance as the rainy season heightens the risk of mosquito breeding.
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported that the province’s dengue cases declined by 65 percent compared with the 2,509 cases and 11 deaths recorded during the same period last year. However, the agency said localized clusters of infections remain a major concern.
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected day-biting female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito. Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, and, in severe cases, bleeding.
While there is no specific dengue cure, early medical consultation and prompt treatment can prevent life-threatening complications.
The municipalities with dengue clustering — defined as three or more cases recorded within four consecutive weeks — are Ajuy, Calinog, Concepcion, Dingle, Estancia, Pototan, Sara, and Tigbauan.
Affected barangays are Bato Biasong (3) and Poblacion (3) in Ajuy; Carvasana (4) in Calinog; Malangabang (3) in Concepcion; San Jose (3) in Dingle; Tacbuyan (3) and Bayuyan (4) in Estancia; Rumbang (3) in Pototan; Ferraris (3) in Sara; and Dorong-an (#) in Tigbauan.
With the onset of the rainy season, the IPHO is urging residents to strictly observe the 4S Strategy Against Dengue and actively participate in the “Limpyo Iloilo Kada Lunes na Lihok Kontra Lamok” campaign to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
The 4S strategy consists of:
* search and destroy mosquito breeding places
* seek early consultation for symptoms such as fever, body pain, nausea, or rashes
* secure self-protection through the use of repellents and protective clothing, and
* support spraying or misting in identified hotspot areas
The provincial government has also intensified its dengue response by activating dengue fast lanes in health facilities, prepositioning medicines, diagnostic kits and vector-control supplies, and mobilizing Barangay Dengue Task Forces.
“This is a call for unity and vigilance. Together, we can sustain the decline of dengue cases and prevent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases in Iloilo Province,” the IPHO said.
Calinog recorded the highest number of dengue cases with 92, followed by Cabatuan (87), Passi City (42), Dumangas (36), Lambunao (36), Ajuy (35, one death), Estancia (34, two deaths), Oton (32), Maasin (31), and Janiuay (30).
Other municipalities also reported varying numbers of infections: Carles (27 cases with one death), Tigbauan (27), Pototan (26), Miag-ao (24), Sara (24), San Dionisio (20 cases with one death), Concepcion (19), Banate (18), San Miguel (18), Guimbal (16), San Enrique (16), Pavia (15), Barotac Viejo (14), Balasan (13), Batad (12), Dingle (12 cases with one death), Bingawan (11), Dueñas (11), Leganes (11), Igbaras (10), Alimodian (eight), Santa Barbara (eight), Tubungan (eight), Barotac Nuevo (seven), Lemery (seven), Leon (seven), Mina (seven), Badiangan (five), San Joaquin (five), San Rafael (five), Zarraga (four), New Lucena (two), and Anilao (one)./PN
