ILOILO City – The risk of dengue remains even if the 3,959 cases with 21 deaths recorded from Jan. 1 to Aug. 19 this year were lower compared to the 11,157 cases with 68 deaths reported in the same period last year, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6.
“This year is not predicted as an outbreak year, and we can see that our cases are decreasing. But the risk is there, especially since we are experiencing rains,” said Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, chief of DOH-6’s infectious, environmental, and occupational health section.
Here is the breakdown of the 3,959 cases:
* Iloilo province – 981 cases
* Negros Occidental – 719 cases
* Aklan – 540 cases
* Capiz – 463 cases
* Antique – 258 cases
* Guimaras – 119 cases
* Iloilo City – 549 cases
* Bacolod City – 330 cases
Of the 21 fatalities, Negros Occidental has the highest number so far with six, followed by Aklan with four; Capiz, Iloilo City and Bacolod City with three each; and one each from Guimaras and Iloilo province.
Natalaray added that the most affected age group, which is 48 percent of the cases, is the one to 10 years old, followed by the 11 to 20 years old at 23 percent.
She attributed the declining cases, aside from 2023 as a non-outbreak year, to the continuous provision of support to local government units (LGUs), including larvicides, indoor residual spray, and insecticide for vector control activities, while schools received mosquito nets.
Whether or not the cases will continue to decline is dependent on the compliance of the public to the 4S strategy: search and destroy breeding areas, self-protection, say yes to fogging and indoor residual spraying in areas where cases are increasing, and seek early medical consultation if the fever persists for two days.
The medical officer added that they will conduct a dengue death review next week to determine the gaps to prevent fatalities.
“Our recorded 21 deaths are lower this year when compared with last year’s 68. However, 21 are still 21 lives; 21 children whose deaths could have been prevented if they consulted earlier. Looking into the data, most likely the reason is late consultation. Sometimes patients are already in the critical period before they can be given medical management,” she added.
With the opening of classes, Natalaray urged parents to apply insect repellents on their children when they go to school.
It is also important for LGUs to have standby supplies of the dengue NS-1 kit or the dengue duo kit to be used for probable cases. (PNA)/PN
