ILOILO – Four more people have died of dengue in Iloilo province in just one week, pushing the death toll to 19 and prompting health authorities to warn families against waiting for a patient’s condition to worsen before seeking medical treatment.
Data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed that dengue cases climbed to 3,347 with 19 deaths from January 4 to September 19, up from 3,191 cases and 15 deaths recorded as of September 12.
The increase means the province recorded 156 additional dengue cases and four more deaths within a week.
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms may include sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes and, in some cases, bleeding.
Severe dengue can be fatal without timely medical care.
Alarmed by the rising fatalities, IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon urged parents and caregivers to bring family members suffering from fever to a health facility immediately, stressing that dengue can rapidly progress into a life-threatening condition.
“Indi na naton paghulaton nga maglala ang sitwasyon nga waay na maubra ang aton mga doctors and health facilities. Ang dengue makamamatay; ang pinakanami nga intervention kon may hilanat is seek early treatment,” Quiñon said.
She particularly advised families to seek medical consultation on the first day of fever. Patients assessed by doctors as suspected dengue cases can undergo dengue testing for free at health facilities.
Quiñon said many of those who died were already suffering from severe dengue when they were brought to hospitals, leaving doctors with little opportunity to reverse their deteriorating condition.
“Often times, nagakadto sila kon tapos na ang paghilanat. Pinsar nila okay na, gali severe dengue na ang pasyente. Ti, kabudlay na i-manage bisan dal-on sa tertiary hospital diri sa city. Ulihi na ang tanan, that’s why nagkalamatay sila,” Quiñon added.
The warning is particularly directed at parents and caregivers because children account for a significant portion of dengue infections and deaths in the province.
Children aged five to nine recorded the highest number of infections at 659, followed by those aged 10 to 14 with 599 cases. Those aged 20 to 29 accounted for 494 cases; 15 to 19, 477; 40 years old and above, 411; one to four years old, 397; 30 to 39, 177; and infants below one year old, 134.
Estancia recorded the highest number of deaths with seven out of 317 dengue cases, followed by Carles with four deaths and 187 cases, and Ajuy with two deaths and 141 cases.
San Dionisio, Sara, Dingle, Miag-ao, San Rafael and San Joaquin recorded one death each.
Aside from Estancia, the municipalities and city with the highest number of dengue infections were Calinog with 215 cases; Carles, 187; Cabatuan, 184; Passi City, 181; Dumangas, 175; Ajuy, 141; Concepcion, 113; Lambunao, 112; and Tigbauan, 105.
The IPHO also recorded clustering of dengue cases in 26 of Iloilo’s 43 municipalities and component city. Clustering refers to three or more cases recorded within a four-consecutive-week period.
These areas are Ajuy, Alimodian, Anilao, Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Cabatuan, Calinog, Carles, Passi City, Concepcion, Dingle, Dumangas, Estancia, Lambunao, Leganes, Lemery, Maasin, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, San Miguel, San Rafael, Tigbauan and Tubungan.
The IPHO stressed that the disappearance of fever does not necessarily mean a patient is already out of danger, making prompt medical assessment critical when dengue is suspected./PN
