ILOILO – A cluster of 18 dengue cases in Barangay Bayuyan, Estancia town has prompted provincial health authorities to intensify surveillance and mobilize villages as the municipality recorded a 10-percent increase in infections and two deaths this year.
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) conducted dengue vector surveillance in Bayuyan following the concentration of cases in the barangay.
Village officials, Barangay Health Workers and members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program participated in the activity.
The IPHO team assessed the dengue situation, stressed the need for stronger vector-control measures, and urged residents to participate in search-and-destroy operations and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
Residents were also advised to seek immediate medical attention upon experiencing symptoms associated with dengue.
After the surveillance activity, the team met with Municipal Administrator Arman Ravena to discuss the rising number of infections in Estancia.
An emergency meeting of the Liga ng mga Barangay was scheduled for August 4 to strengthen coordination and mobilize village officials in carrying out intensified dengue prevention and control measures across the municipality.
IPHO data showed that Estancia logged 55 dengue cases, including two deaths, from January 4 to July 18 this year.
The figure was 10 percent higher than the 50 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.
Estancia ranked fourth among Iloilo province’s localities with the highest number of dengue infections this year.
Calinog topped the list with 115 cases, followed by Cabatuan with 102 and Passi City with 56.
Completing the 10 localities with the highest caseloads were Ajuy with 54 cases and one death; Dumangas and Lambunao with 51 cases each; Maasin, 43; and Janiuay and Oton, 34 each.
Across Iloilo province, however, dengue cases dropped by 63 percent.
The province registered 1,179 cases and six deaths from January 4 to July 18, down from 3,219 cases and 34 deaths during the comparable period last year./PN
