Dengue death toll in Iloilo rises to 13 in 2025

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The number of dengue-related deaths in the province of Iloilo has risen to 13, even as total cases reported this year are slightly lower compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

Dr. Rodney Labis, chief of the IPHO Health Service Delivery Division, said the most recent fatality was a 32-year-old woman from Concepcion, who died of dengue complications on July 24.

The two previous deaths also involved residents from the province’s fifth district.

The 11th fatality was a 27-year-old woman from San Rafael, categorized as a probable dengue case with warning signs, who developed symptoms on June 20 and died on June 24.

The 12th fatality was a confirmed dengue case involving a 9-year-old boy from Balasan, who showed warning signs on July 3 and died two days later.

Labis said the reported deaths are still under review by the Dengue Death Review Committee of the Iloilo Provincial Health Board to confirm the actual cause of death.

“This is also to address the gaps that contribute to deaths to prevent similar outcomes in the future,” he added.

As of July 26, Iloilo province has recorded 3,462 dengue cases, with 222 new infections reported in the latest weekly update — an 8.5% decrease compared to the same time last year.

Towns with the highest number of new cases include Oton (24), Janiuay (20), Barotac Nuevo (13), Leon (12), and Dumangas (11).

Oton remains the town with the highest cumulative total since January at 251 cases, followed by San Joaquin (224), Janiuay (173), Dumangas (169), and Leon (161).

Meanwhile, the number of towns experiencing clustering of dengue cases rose to 26 from 23 the previous week.

A total of 73 barangays have reported case clustering, a 6% increase from the 69 recorded the week prior.

“We appeal to local government units to sustain cleanup activities to help control the spread of dengue, especially in areas where case clustering is observed,” Labis said.