Dengue cases in Iloilo province start to spike

By John Noel E. Herrera

Iloilo province has already logged 54 dengue cases from Jan 1 to 21, 2023, which is 50 percent higher compared to 36 cases in the same period last year.

Data from Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) indicated that children aged 1 to 10 years old accounted for the most number of cases with 27, followed by 11 to 20 years old (14), 21 to 30 years old (7), and less than one year old with one case.

Data also revealed that Estancia town leads the list with 5 cases, followed by the towns of Barotac Nuevo, Cabatuan, Ajuy and Pototan (4 cases each), and Oton and Alimodian with 3 cases each.

IPHO attributed the high case numbers to the rainy weather that the province experienced, as well as to the health-seeking behavior of the public.

IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon appealed to the public to monitor the surroundings and practice preventive measures for their own safety.

“Gusto naton nga mag-preparar kita kag mag halong nga hindi na magdamo ang mga kaso nga ini sa aton mga banwa,” Colmenares-Quiñon said.

She added that the public should follow the 4S strategy (search and destroy breeding places, seeking early treatment, self-protection measures, say yes to fogging) to prevent the possible surge of dengue cases.

“Ginapahanumdom naton sa tanan nga practice gid ang aton 4S kontra dengue. Pangitaon naton ang tanan nga lugar nga kung diin ang tubig naga stagnant and for fever of two to three days duration, gapalamula, gilayon gid magkadto sa rural health unit para magpacheck-up kag ang panapton, as much as possible covered ang aton lawas,” she stressed.

IPHO also started to distribute dengue test kits to all rural health units and hospitals in the province for early detection of possible dengue cases.

“Nagprovide na kita sang mga adulticide nga pwede gid nila ma-usar para ma stop na ang pag spread sang dengue,” Colmenares-Quiñon added.

The US Department of Health and Human Science defines adulticide as a type of insecticide used to kill adult mosquitos that spread viruses like West Nile or Zika.

Colmenares-Quiñon also encouraged the public to eat healthy food and drink plenty of water, as well as to immediately seek the help of doctors if they experience dengue symptoms.

Some symptoms of dengue include fever, headache, nausea, rash, aches and pains in eyes, muscles, joints and bones, and feeling tired, restless, or irritable.