ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) warns the public of a possible spike in dengue cases during the El Niño period.
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said since people would be stocking water due to the dry spell, dengue mosquitoes may find water containers as ideal breeding places.
“Puede pangitlogan sang lamok kag dira naman magalapta ang dengue,” said Quiñon.
Thus, she said, water containers must have lids.
Check them from time to time if there are mosquito larvae, and if possible, do not stock water for too long, said Quiñon.
The only other way to prevent the increase in dengue cases during El Niño, she stressed, is if everyone follows the 4S strategies against dengue:
* search and destroy mosquito breeding places
* seek early consultation from health experts
* secure self-protection
* support fogging/spraying
From Jan. 1 to April 22 this year, the province recorded 442 dengue cases, 155 percent higher than last year’s 173 cases with six deaths.
The towns with the highest recorded cases were Barotac Nuevo (34), Estancia (28), Ajuy (20), Alimodian (20), Banate (18), San Dionisio (17), Oton (17), Pototan (16), Passi City (16), and Calinog (16).
The remaining cases were from the towns of Dumangas (15), Cabatuan (15), Carles (15), Balasan (15), Sara (13), Barotac Viejo (12), Lemery (12), Pavia (12), Concepcion (11), Dingle (nine), Dueñas (eight), Batad (eight), Santa Barbara (eight), Tigbauan (eight), San Enrique (seven), Miag-ao (seven), Guimbal (seven), Guimbal (seven) San Joaquin (six), San Miguel (six), Leganes (six), Igbaras (six), Janiuay (five), Zarraga (four), Tubungan (four), Badiangan (four), Leon (four), Anilao (four), Bingawan (three), New Lucena (two), Maasin (two), Lambunao (one), and San Rafael (one).
The municipality of Mina is the lone town in the province with no dengue case.
Below are the age groups most affected:
* less than one year old – 20 cases
* one to 10 years old – 249 cases
* 11 to 20 years old – 91 cases
* 21 to 30 years old – 38 cases
* 31 to 40 years old – 12 cases
* 41 years old and above – 32 cases
“Nakita naton nga ang kaso naton naga-amat-amat increase, which is higher this year compared to the previous years, nga gina-anticipate naton nga taas gid to kay ika-third year cycle,” said Quiñon.
Measures
Quiñon said the IPHO would provide larvicide and adulticides to local government units with high cases.
Aside from medicines, the IPHO will also distribute dengue testing kits so that Rural Health Units (RHUs) can test patients with dengue signs and symptoms such as headache, cough, and rashes, among others.
Quiñon also encouraged parents or guardians that a child with a headache for two days should be taken to the RHUs to be checked. They are also encouraged to put insect repellants on their children.
Most of all, Quiñon said, continue to keep the surroundings clean./PN
