Iloilo dengue cases drop 66% but two deaths recorded

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported two dengue-related deaths from Jan. 4 to April 4, even as cases declined significantly compared with the same period in 2025.

IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said the province recorded 432 dengue cases, including the two fatalities, in an interview Monday, April 13.

“There is a 66 percent reduction in the number of cases compared to the same period last year, when we had 1,269 cases and seven deaths,” Quiñon said.

Despite the overall decline, fatalities were recorded in the municipalities of Dingle and Ajuy.

IPHO Health Service Delivery Division head Dr. Rodney Labis said the first fatality was a 50-year-old woman from Dingle who had recently traveled to Cebu and developed symptoms while outside the province.

She sought medical care upon returning to Iloilo, was later confirmed to have dengue, and died on Feb. 20.

The second fatality was a 14-year-old boy from Ajuy who developed fever and abdominal pain on March 23, was hospitalized on March 26, and died three days later.

Among the 43 municipalities in the province, Cabatuan logged the highest number of cases with 61, followed by Calinog with 48 and Maasin with 19.

Passi City and Oton recorded 17 cases each, while Dumangas and Janiuay had 16 each.

Lambunao and Tigbauan recorded 14 cases each, while Ajuy, Miagao, San Dionisio, and San Miguel reported 11 each.

Other municipalities posted low to single-digit case counts.

Quiñon said the province continues to implement its 4S Kontra Dengue strategy, which promotes searching for and destroying mosquito breeding sites, self-protection measures, early medical consultation, and supporting fogging in hotspot areas.

She said barangays are being encouraged to aim for zero dengue cases, with PHP 5,000 incentives under consideration for communities that maintain no infections.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and eliminate stagnant water around their homes to prevent mosquito breeding, particularly during periods of intermittent rainfall that can accelerate larval development.