Estancia dengue cases surge 355%, highest in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY — Estancia recorded 460 dengue cases, including eight deaths, from Jan. 4 to Oct. 10, 2026, the highest among Iloilo province’s 43 local government units, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

Cases in the municipality surged 355% from the 101 reported during the same period last year.

Estancia also had the highest number of barangays with dengue case clustering, with 15 affected during the latest monitoring period.

Clustering is defined as three or more dengue cases recorded in the same area within four consecutive weeks.

Across the province, 81 barangays in 28 municipalities reported clustering.

Despite the spike in Estancia, the province’s total dengue cases declined 16% to 4,215 from 5,010 during the same period in 2025.

However, the number of deaths increased to 21 from 20 last year.

Carles ranked second to Estancia with 309 cases and five deaths, followed by Calinog with 252 cases.

Cabatuan recorded 217 cases, while Passi City and Dumangas each logged 213.

Other LGUs with reported dengue deaths were Ajuy, with two, and San Dionisio, Sara, Dingle, Miagao, San Rafael and San Joaquin, with one each.

The PHO report also listed 280 new cases during Morbidity Week 40, covering Oct. 4 to 10.

Children ages 5 to 9 accounted for the most cases at 837, followed by those ages 10 to 14 with 766 and those ages 15 to 19 with 630.

Children ages 1 to 4 recorded 490 cases, while infants younger than 1 accounted for 161.

The province reached the dengue alert threshold during Morbidity Week 29, covering 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.

An alert threshold indicates that case numbers have exceeded the expected range for a particular period and warrant closer monitoring.

An epidemic threshold signals a more serious increase requiring an intensified public health response.

Health authorities continue to encourage the public to follow 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 are advised to eliminate stagnant water, cover water-storage containers and regularly inspect household surroundings for potential mosquito breeding sites.

Used tires, uncovered containers and clogged gutters can collect water and provide places for mosquitoes to breed.

People experiencing fever lasting two to seven days, particularly when accompanied by headache, body pain or rashes, should promptly seek medical consultation.

Dengue is endemic in the Philippines and is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti, which commonly bite during the daytime.