ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) has placed Western Visayas under heightened surveillance against diseases after dengue cases climbed to 1,734 and rainy season conditions increased the threat of multiple infectious disease outbreaks, prompting health authorities to urge the public to take immediate preventive action.
DOH Region 6 warned that continuous rains, flooding, contaminated water sources and increased indoor crowding have created favorable conditions for the spread of waterborne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis and dengue across communities in the region.
From Morbidity Week 22 covering Jan. 4 to June 6, 2026, the regional health office recorded 1,734 dengue cases, 329 food and water-borne disease cases, 279 influenza-like illness cases, and 144 leptospirosis cases in Western Visayas, underscoring the growing public health concern.
DOH-6 said the rainy season significantly alters environmental conditions, making communities more susceptible to several infectious diseases.
The agency explained that waterborne diseases are commonly acquired through contaminated food and drinking water and are characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and dehydration.
Influenza-like illnesses, meanwhile, spread more easily in crowded indoor environments and usually manifest through fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and body aches.
Health officials also cautioned the public against leptospirosis, a bacterial disease contracted through floodwaters contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, red eyes and jaundice.
Dengue remains one of the region’s biggest health threats during the rainy season as Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed rapidly in stagnant water. Patients typically experience sudden high fever, severe headache, rash, and intense muscle and joint pain.
To reduce the risk of infection, DOH-6 advised residents to drink only safe and clean water, maintain proper hygiene and sanitation, receive influenza vaccinations, avoid crowded places whenever possible, ensure adequate indoor ventilation, and practice regular handwashing.
The agency also urged the public to avoid wading through floodwaters, immediately wash exposed skin after contact with floodwater, eliminate mosquito breeding sites by removing stagnant water, cover water containers, wear protective clothing, and use mosquito repellents.
“Prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and work together to keep our community healthy and safe from WILD diseases,” DOH-6 said.
The agency further encouraged residents experiencing symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, severe headache, muscle pain or unusual bleeding to seek immediate medical attention, stressing that communities can significantly reduce the impact of diseases by remaining vigilant and consistently observing preventive health measures./PN
