The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (PHO) has raised concerns as dengue cases skyrocket to alarming levels, with 115 new cases recorded in just one week.
In the 25th morbidity week report, the PHO reported a total of 1,289 dengue cases for the year, marking a 79 percent increase compared to the 723 cases recorded during the same period in 2023.
Five fatalities have also been attributed to the outbreak.
The report revealed that 80 percent (1,035) of these cases are classified as probable, while the remaining 20 percent (259) are considered suspected. The majority of those affected are children aged 1 to 10 years.
Lambunao leads with 87 cases, including one death, followed by Passi City with 69 cases, Oton with 67 cases, and Badiangan with 60 cases and two deaths. Other affected areas include Calinog with 61 cases, Miagao with 53, Lemery with 51, Estancia with 43, Dumangas with 41, and Ajuy with 40 cases.
Hospitals across the province are feeling the strain, with the highest number of admissions at Don Jose Monfort Medical Center, which currently has 11 dengue patients.
This is followed by Dr. Ricardo Ladrido Memorial District Hospital with 10 patients, Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital with nine, and several other hospitals reporting between six and seven cases each.
Overall, 72 dengue patients have been admitted to various district hospitals throughout the province.
Rural health centers are also reporting significant numbers, with Ajuy and Dingle each treating six dengue patients. Other centers with multiple cases include Maasin Rural Health Unit (RHU) with four, Oton RHU with three, and Badiangan and Lemery RHUs with two cases each.
Additional cases are distributed across facilities in Barotac Viejo, Concepcion, Leganes, Tigbauan, and Zarraga. The PHO has identified nine towns experiencing a clustering of cases: Ajuy, Badiangan, Banate, Passi City, Dingle, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, and Oton.
PHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon advised residents to seek immediate medical consultation if they experience symptoms of dengue, to ensure timely and appropriate treatment.
In response to the outbreak, the PHO is intensifying its public information campaign on dengue prevention and ramping up fogging and spraying activities to curb the spread of the disease.
Quiñon emphasized the importance of community cooperation in maintaining clean surroundings to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, which is critical in preventing further escalation of the outbreak.
