ILOILO — The number of barangays with confirmed clustering of dengue cases in Iloilo Province surged by 70 percent in just one week, raising alarms over the fast-spreading mosquito-borne disease.
From 23 barangays in 14 municipalities last week, the latest data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) as of June 28 (26th morbidity week) show that 39 barangays in 20 towns have now recorded dengue clusters — defined as having at least three cases in a barangay over a four-week period.
“This is a significant increase,” aid IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon.
The towns with confirmed clustering include:
* Ajuy – Poblacion (four)
* Alimodian – Poblacion (three)
* Barotac Nuevo – Lagubang (three), Monpon (three), and Salihid (three)
* Barotac Viejo – Vista Alegre (five)
* Bingawan – Poblacion (four)
* Cabatuan – Tabucan (three) and Tiring (three)
* Calinog – Libot (four)
* Carles – Cabilao Pequeño (four)
* Concepcion – Poblacion (three)
* Dumangas – Bolilao (four), Paloc Sool (five), Bacong (three), Ilaya 2rd (five), and Cayos (four)
* Janiuay – Jibolo (four)
* Lambunao – Poblacion Ilawod (three)
* Leganes – Poblacion (three) and Napnud (three)
* Lemery – Poblacion SE Zone (three)
* Leon – Biri Sur (five), Poblacion (five), and Talacuan (four)
* Oton – Buray (three), Santa Rita (three), Batuan Ilaud (10), and Caboloan Sur (three)
* Pavia – Balabag (three), Jibao-an (three), Pagsanga-an (three), Tigum (three), and Ungka II (three)
* Pototan – Barasan (three), Igang (four), and Guibuangan (three)
* Santa Barbara – Zone VI (three)
* Sara – Devera (three)
Dr. Quiñon renewed her appeal to residents not to tire of practicing preventive measures, including the “4S” strategy (Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, Secure self-protection, Seek early consultation, Support fogging in hot spots) and the “4Ts” (Taob or turn containers upside down, Taktak or empty water-holding vessels, Tuyo or dry water-collecting surfaces, and Takip or cover water storage units).
Each household is urged to conduct weekly search-and-destroy operations to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
“Please, let us not get tired of doing the 4S and checking for mosquito habitats not just outside but also inside our homes,” she stressed.
Those experiencing fever and other dengue symptoms such as palanuka (vomiting), bleeding, and on-and-off fever are advised to immediately seek medical help. Severe dengue can be fatal if left unmanaged.
Dengue is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Its symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, and bleeding. There is no specific treatment, and early medical intervention is critical.
As of June 28, Iloilo Province has recorded 2,511 dengue cases with 10 deaths, a 58 percent increase from the 1,586 cases and five deaths recorded during the same period last year.
Topping the list of municipalities with the most cases are:
* San Joaquin (172)
* Oton (160 with one death)
* Dumangas (132)
* Leon (127)
* Cabatuan (114)
* Pototan (107 with two deaths)
* Lambunao (99 with one death)
* Janiuay (90)
* Calinog (83)
* Pavia (79)
The disease has now reached all 42 towns and the component city of Passi.
Other areas with dengue cases are: Ajuy (78), San Dionisio (76), Barotac Nuevo (75), Sara (74 cases with one death), Passi City (60), Maasin (58), Barotac Viejo (56), Concepcion (55), Tigbauan (54 cases with one death), Carles (52 cases with two deaths), Santa Barbara (52), Banate (49), Estancia (44), San Miguel (44), Alimodian (40), San Rafael (38), Miag-ao (37), Guimbal (32), Batad (31), Mina (31), Badiangan (30), Dingle (30), Balasan (29 cases with one death), Leganes (28), Anilao (27), Dueñas (27 cases with one death), Lemery (26), Zarraga (26), Bingawan (23), Igbaras (20), San Enrique (19), Tubungan (19), and New Lucena (10)./PN
