FIEL PHOTO: Iloilo City residents conduct a community cleanup drive on Aug. 25 as part of the local government鈥檚 intensified campaign against dengue, particularly to destroy potential mosquito breeding sites. 鈥擯HOTO COURTESY OF ILOILO CITY DRRMO
ILOILO CITY鈥擳he Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) urged Ilonggos to step up cleanup efforts as dengue cases in the province rose by 58 percent in just a month.
The province recorded 385 dengue cases, including four deaths, from Jan. 1 to Feb. 1, marking a sharp increase from the 244 cases reported over the same period last year.
Dr. Maria Socorro Qui帽on, IPHO chief, said 124 new cases were logged from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 alone.
The number of barangays experiencing clustering鈥� where dengue cases persisted for at least three consecutive weeks鈥攚ent up to 18 from 13.
Of Iloilo鈥檚 43 municipalities, only Bingawan remained dengue-free, the IPHO said.
Cabatuan town led with most number of infections with 22 cases; followed by Leon, Oton and San Joaquin town with 21 each; and Dumangas town with 19.
鈥淏ased on our data, the most affected age group belongs to children ages 1 to 9, comprising 40 percent of the total cases, followed by the 10 to 19 age group, comprising 26 percent,鈥� Qui帽on said.
Among the four recorded fatalities were a 67-year-old woman and a 6-year-old boy from Pototan town; a 71-year-old man from Carles town; and an 11-month-old boy from Oton town.
Outbreak level
鈥淏ased on our epidemiological data, the province of Iloilo is still at the outbreak level since it was declared in August 2024,鈥� Qui帽on said, warning that failure to curb the spread could lead to even more deaths this year.
In response, the IPHO ramped up its dengue prevention campaign in coordination with local health offices.
To support these efforts, rural health units would receive funding for dengue test kits, medicines, public awareness campaigns and mosquito control measures such as fogging and indoor residual spraying.
Barangay officials were also encouraged to actively participate in the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue initiative, ensuring community-wide engagement in preventive measures.
Health officials urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms鈥攕uch as high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, eye pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration or rashes, as early diagnosis and treatment could prevent severe complications and fatalities.