Dengue deaths hit 12 in Iloilo despite 39% case drop

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — Twelve people have died of dengue in Iloilo province from Jan. 4 to Aug. 29, even as total cases fell 39% from the same period last year, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office reported.

Data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) showed 2,668 dengue cases recorded during the period, down from 4,348 in 2025.

Despite the decline, dengue transmission remained active, with 266 new cases recorded during Morbidity Week 34, covering Aug. 23 to 29.

The death toll has climbed from seven as of Aug. 8, when the province had logged 1,834 cases, meaning five deaths and more than 800 cases were added in three weeks.

The year-on-year decline has also narrowed sharply, from 57% as of Aug. 1 and 53% as of Aug. 8 to 39% by the end of August.

Iloilo reached its dengue alert threshold during Morbidity Week 29, covering July 19 to 25, and IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon warned then that a continued rise in cases could push the province toward the epidemic threshold.

Estancia recorded the highest number of new cases during Week 34 at 44, followed by Carles with 18, Lambunao with 15, Alimodian with 14, and Balasan with 13.

The five local government units (LGUs) accounted for 104, or 39%, of the 266 new cases recorded during the week.

Estancia also had the highest cumulative number of cases at 241, followed by Calinog with 183, Cabatuan with 165, Passi City with 143, and Dumangas with 127.

The five LGUs accounted for 859 cases, or 32%, of the provincial total.

Meanwhile, 68 barangays continued to report dengue clustering, up from 63 as of Aug. 8, with Estancia recording the highest number at 11.

Passi City followed with seven clustered barangays, while Concepcion and Carles each had six, and Balasan had five.

The PESU also identified priority hotspot barangays, including Poblacion in Alimodian with 31 cases, Botongon in Estancia with 20, Dayhagan in Carles with 19, and Tiring in Cabatuan with 10.

Health authorities reminded residents to follow the Department of Health’s 4S strategy against dengue: search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, secure self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and support fogging and spraying in hotspot areas.

Residents are also advised to seek medical consultation for fever lasting two to seven days, particularly when accompanied by headache, body pain, or rashes.