Carles dengue cases nearly triple; 14 barangays report clustering

ILOILO CITY — Fourteen of Carles’ 33 barangays have reported dengue clustering, the most of any local government unit (LGU) in Iloilo province.

The northern Iloilo town recorded 406 dengue cases and five deaths from Jan. 4 to Oct. 24, according to data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office–Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (IPHO-PESU) covering Morbidity Week 42.

The figure is 184% higher than the 143 cases Carles recorded during the same period in 2025.

Carles also logged 55 new cases in the latest monitoring week, Oct. 18 to 24, again the highest among LGUs in the province.

Among the 14 barangays with clustering, Bancal had the most cases at 16, followed by Bolo and Poblacion with 13 each, and Guinticgan with 12.

Barosbos recorded 11 cases, while Cabuguana had eight.

The other barangays with clustering are Ahong, Alipata, Cabilao Grande, Cawayan, Dayhagan, Nalumsan, Punta, and Tupaz.

The IPHO defines dengue clustering as three or more cases within four consecutive morbidity weeks.

Across the province

Across Iloilo, 97 barangays in 29 municipalities have reported dengue clustering.

The province recorded 4,863 cases and 22 deaths as of Oct. 24, down 7% from the 5,237 cases and 23 deaths reported during the same period in 2025.

Estancia recorded the most cases at 517, followed by Carles with 406, Calinog with 283, Cabatuan with 243, Dumangas with 242, and Passi City with 231.

Estancia also reported the most dengue-related deaths at eight, followed by Carles with five.

Ajuy recorded two deaths, while San Dionisio, Sara, Dingle, Miagao, San Rafael, and Leon had one each.

The province logged 312 new cases during the latest monitoring week.

By age group, children aged 5 to 9 accounted for the most cases at 977, followed by those aged 10 to 14 with 884.

The 15-to-19 age group had 735 cases, while those aged 20 to 29 recorded 712.

Another 567 cases involved people aged 40 and older.

Alert threshold

In April, the IPHO reported 432 dengue cases and two deaths in the province.

The IPHO later intensified its dengue prevention campaign from May to September, after forecasts projected near- to above-normal rainfall in the province.

The province reached the dengue alert threshold during Morbidity Week 29, July 19 to 25.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon warned then that continued increases could push the province toward the epidemic threshold.

The alert threshold means dengue cases have exceeded the expected range for a given period and require closer monitoring.

The epidemic threshold signals a more significant increase that calls for an intensified public health response.

Prevention

Health authorities urged residents to observe the Department of Health’s 4S strategy against dengue: Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, Secure self-protection, Seek early consultation, and Support fogging and spraying in identified hotspot areas.

Residents were also advised to eliminate stagnant water, keep water-storage containers covered, and regularly inspect their surroundings for potential mosquito-breeding sites.

Used tires, uncovered containers, and clogged gutters can collect rainwater and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Residents with fever, particularly when accompanied by headache, body pain, or rashes, were advised to seek medical consultation promptly.

Dengue is endemic in the Philippines and is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, which commonly bite during the daytime.