Dengue death toll in Iloilo climbs to 19

By: Gerome Dalipe

THE Iloilo Provincial Health Office has recorded a spike in dengue fever cases in the past few weeks, with the death toll already climbing to 19 by June 26, 2019.

Due to the rising fatalities, Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. wants the latest data on dengue cases from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

The outgoing governor directed PDRRMC executive officer Jerry Bionat to submit in 10 days an updated report on dengue cases from 42 towns and the component city of Passi, district hospitals, and private hospital in Iloilo City.

Defensor said he needed these data before declaring a state of calamity due to rising dengue cases in the province.

Are the Capitol and the town’s rural health personnel ready for such a calamity?

Defensor, in his press conference yesterday, assured the Province is ready to provide medical support to various district hospitals in case of a dengue outbreak.

“We have enough supplies of blood, medicines, doctors, and medical personnel,” he said.

Likewise, the Philippine National Red Cross-Iloilo chapter donated about 60 foldable beds to district hospitals for patients suspected of having dengue.

Dengue fever cases in Iloilo have increased by over 700 percent, records from the Provincial Health Office showed.

The number of suspected dengue cases surged by 2,823, from 394 cases for the period January to June 2018 to 3,217 for the same period this year.

The town of Pototan, Iloilo topped the list with 318 cases and two deaths, followed by Passi City with 271 cases and one death.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing severe flu-like illness.

These carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albpictus and Aedes egypti) that live and breed in clean and stagnant water.

Doctors also advise people with dengue symptoms to immediately seek medical treatment.

Some of the symptoms are severe headaches, high fever, pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.