ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. affirmed that the provincial government is always ready to extend assistance to dengue-hit municipalities, particularly those experiencing a surge in cases.
Under Section 3 of Executive Order (EO) No. 270 implementing escalated dengue surge prevention and management measures issued last month, the provincial government through the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) will provide continuing support to local government units (LGUs) in terms of healthcare personnel, facilities, equipment, and supplies.
“We are ready. Ara na sa aton nga Executive Order No. 270 that we are prepared to augment sa aton nga mga municipalities kag nagabulig man kita paagi sa aton PHO kon kinahanglan naton mang-spray. Ongoing ang aton pang-spray, kon may positive kita nagapang-spray kita,” Defensor told Panay News.
The EO further stated that the provincial government is ready to augment city/municipal health offices with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
The province also continues to procure adulticides, larvicides, dengue test kits, intravenous fluids, and drugs and medicines such as paracetamol and oral rehydration results for distribution to affected LGUs.
Meanwhile, San Joaquin is the only LGU in the province placed under the state of calamity due to dengue outbreak.
It recorded a total of 118 dengue cases with zero death as of June 18 – 11,700 percent higher compared to only one case reported in the same period last year.
Aside from San Joaquin, the other nine LGUs included in the Top 10 with the highest number of dengue cases are the following: Guimbal (57 cases with two deaths), Tubungan (52), Miag-ao (34 cases with one death), Oton (25), Estancia (24), Dumangas (20), Pototan (19), Tigbauan (19), and Dueñas (15).
Eight other towns registered clustering of dengue cases. These were in the following areas:
● Pandan in Dueñas (10 cases)
● Tamboilan (five) and Jardin (three) in Dumangas
● Bongol-San Vicente (four), Cabasi (four), Burgos-Gengosi (three), Camangahan (three), Bagumbayan-Poblacion (six), and Cabubugan (six), all in Guimbal
● Santa Rita in Oton (five)
● Cau-ayan in Pototan (three)
● Igburi (10), Qui-anan (10), Lawigan (12), and Siwaragan (six), all in San Joaquin
● Parara Norte in Tigbauan (three)
● Teniente Benito (four) and Lanag Sur (13), all in Tubungan.
There is clustering if there are at least three cases within four consecutive weeks.
As of June 18, Iloilo has a total of 568 dengue cases with six deaths. This was 217 percent higher compared to 179 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Dengue is caused by day-biting Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that breed in clean, stagnant water.
According to the World Health Organization, individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea / vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness. (with a report from Capitol News)/PN
