Iloilo hits dengue alert after cases surge

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo Provincial Health Office has urged residents and local communities to strengthen dengue prevention measures after the province reached the alert threshold and recorded 196 new cases in one week.

IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said Wednesday, Aug. 5, that Iloilo logged 1,595 dengue cases from Jan. 4 to Aug. 1.

The total included 196 new infections recorded during Morbidity Week 30, covering July 26–Aug. 1.

Although the cumulative figure was 57% lower than the 3,677 cases reported during the same period in 2025, Quiñon said the recent rise in weekly infections required heightened vigilance.

“Our data show that we already reached the alert threshold during Morbidity Week 29,” Quiñon said.

The province recorded 220 new dengue cases during Morbidity Week 29, covering July 19–25.

Quiñon said the alert threshold was calculated using Iloilo’s five-year historical dengue surveillance data, excluding 2024, when the province recorded a dengue outbreak.

“If cases continue to rise, we may breach the epidemic threshold, which we want to avoid,” she said.

Among Iloilo’s 42 municipalities and one component city, Calinog recorded the highest cumulative number of dengue cases at 145.

Calinog logged 16 new infections during the latest monitoring week.

Cabatuan followed with 130 cumulative cases, including 12 new infections.

Estancia posted the largest weekly increase with 22 new cases, bringing its cumulative total to 100.

Passi City recorded 82 cases, including 11 new infections.

Ajuy logged 79 cases, including 17 new infections and one death.

Dumangas reported 72 cumulative cases, including 12 new infections.

San Enrique ranked 14th in cumulative cases with 40 but recorded nine new infections during the monitoring week.

The province has recorded six dengue-related deaths this year, down from 15 during the same period in 2025.

Calinog also posted the highest attack rate at 22.59 cases per 10,000 people.

Cabatuan followed with an attack rate of 21.12 cases per 10,000 people, while Estancia recorded 18.43.

Quiñon said barangays with rising dengue cases commonly had numerous mosquito breeding sites.

Most of the breeding sites were linked to improperly managed solid waste and containers that collect water, she said.

Quiñon urged residents to regularly clean their surroundings and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

She emphasized that maintaining clean homes and yards begins with individual households.

“Every household must search for and destroy breeding places by emptying stagnant water and properly disposing of containers that can collect rainwater,” she said.

The IPHO also reminded residents to watch for dengue warning signs and seek immediate medical attention.

Severe dengue can be fatal without timely treatment.

The health office called on barangays to intensify the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue campaign.

It also urged residents to consistently follow the Department of Health’s 4S strategy.

The strategy calls on the public to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites, secure self-protection by wearing protective clothing and using mosquito repellent, seek early consultation for fever and other symptoms, and support targeted fogging or spraying in hotspot areas when an outbreak is imminent.

The Department of Health uses alert and epidemic thresholds to track disease trends and help local governments implement early interventions before outbreaks escalate.