Iloilo records surge in dengue cases

ILOILO CITY, June 17 ------ Dengue cases in Iloilo rose by 77 percent in over five months. Based on the data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the number of dengue cases increased to 1,742 from January 1 to May 17, 2025 from the 983 cases recorded during the same period last year.

The number of fatalities due to the mosquito-borne illness has also tripled from three last year to nine this year. Two deaths were reported each in the municipalities of Carles and Pototan, while one death each occurred in Oton, Sara, Tigbauan, Dueñas and Balasan.

Children aged 1 to 9 were the most affected age group with 595 confirmed cases. Out of the 43 municipalities with reported infections, San Joaquin recorded the highest number of cases at 132, followed by Oton with 100, Leon with 90, and both Cabatuan and Dumangas with 80 each.

The IPHO has also confirmed clustering of cases—defined as three or more cases in a barangay within four consecutive weeks—in 11 barangays across 11 municipalities. In response to the rising numbers, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. issued Executive Order No. 29 on March 27, launching the “Limpyo Iloilo, Kada Lunes nga Lihok Kontra Lamok” (Clean Iloilo Every Monday Movement Against Mosquitoes) campaign.

The campaign mandates weekly clean-up drives every Monday across the province to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, particularly stagnant water and unmanaged garbage. The IPHO emphasized the importance of community participation in preventing further spread of the disease and protecting vulnerable sectors, especially children.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus, primarily transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and skin rash. In severe cases, the disease can progress to life-threatening conditions marked by severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, blood in bodily excretions and breathing difficulties.

Source: inquirer.net