ILOILO – Amid the continuous rise in dengue cases, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. convened the Provincial Civil Defense Cluster on Friday morning, August 2, to devise a comprehensive action plan to combat the ongoing threat of the mosquito-borne disease.
The virtual meeting was attended by key officials including Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Cornelio Salinas, Hospital Management Office head Dr. Paz Calopiz, and mayors from municipalities experiencing an increase in dengue cases.
Defensor underscored the urgency of the situation and the need for the provincial government to have sufficient resources to effectively address this public health concern.
“We want to have a clear picture of our current situation and resources so we can strategize more effectively moving forward,” said Defensor.
According to data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) of the IPHO, from January 1 to July 27, 2024 the province recorded 2,949 dengue cases with six fatalities. Notably, there were 463 new cases reported in just one week, from July 20 to July 27.
This year’s figures so far represent a 191% increase compared to the same period in 2023, which saw only 1,012 cases.
Dengue fever often presents with high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a skin rash. In severe cases, it can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can cause bleeding, blood plasma leakage, and even death.
The areas most affected include Passi City with 199 cases, Lambunao (165 cases with one death), Dingle (155 cases with one death), Oton (134 cases), Badiangan (121 cases with two deaths), Calinog (123 cases), Dumangas (123 cases), Janiuay (100 cases), Miag-ao (90 cases with two deaths), and Barotac Nuevo (91 cases).
A breakdown by age group reveals that the highest incidence of dengue is among children aged one to 10 years old, with 1,093 cases, followed by the 11 to 20 age group with 972 cases.
In response to the escalating cases, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias called upon Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) to assist in environmental cleanliness efforts. This request was made during the 2nd BNS Convention on August 1, attended by around 1,300 BNS.
“Help clean our surroundings. It’s the rainy season, and dengue cases are rising,” Banias said.
He emphasized that dengue is preventable if the cycle of mosquito breeding is disrupted through community efforts to search and destroy breeding sites.
“This public health concern is being treated very seriously by the governor,” added Banias.
Dengue cases in the remaining 33 municipalities include Sara (91), Cabatuan (90), Lemery (89), San Dionisio (79), Pavia (72), Tigbauan (71), Pototan (69), Ajuy (68), Banate (63), Alimodian (62), Leon (62), Santa Barbara (60), Barotac Viejo (56), Estancia (55), Dueñas (51), Mina (51), San Joaquin (49), Batad (47), Maasin (45), Igbaras (42), Sa Enrique (41), Balasan (37), Carles (37), Zarraga (37), Leganes (35), Concepcion (34), San Miguel (32), Bingawan (30), Guimbal (27), Anilao (26), Tubungan (22), San Rafael (13), and New Lucena (five)./PN
