Western Visayas logs over 10k dengue cases as outbreak worsens

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Mariela Angella Oladive

The Department of Health Western Visayas (DOH-6) has reiterated its call for the public to practice the 4S Kontra Dengue strategy as dengue cases in the region have surged to 10,188, with 20 deaths reported as of August 3.

DOH-6 announced on Monday, August 12, that the current figures reflect more than double the 4,760 cases and 23 deaths recorded during the same period last year.

Dr. Bea Natalaray of the Infectious Disease Section of DOH-6 highlighted that dengue cases in the region have increased by 114%.

In the first week of August alone, 1,743 new cases were reported, with children aged 1 to 10 years comprising 36% of the total cases.

“We continue to emphasize the importance of the 4S Strategy to combat dengue, especially as we begin the new school year. With our collaborative efforts to implement the 4S Strategy in our schools and communities, we can create a protective shield against the dengue virus,” Natalaray stressed.

The 4S Strategy includes regularly eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using personal protective measures, seeking early medical consultation if symptoms appear, and supporting local fogging and spraying efforts.

Iloilo Province currently has the highest number of cases at 3,914, with six deaths, followed by Negros Occidental with 1,584 cases and six deaths, Aklan with 1,319 cases and one death, and Capiz with 1,083 cases and three deaths.

Iloilo is preparing to declare a dengue outbreak as 36 of its 43 towns have surpassed alert and epidemic thresholds.

Natalaray further noted that 523 barangays have been identified with clustering of cases.

The DOH-6 has activated its regional dengue task force and initiated interagency collaboration for outbreak preparedness and response strategies.

The task force will include units focused on surveillance, supply and logistics, communications management, health emergency allowance, and health facility development.

“We conduct quarterly meetings to update our interagency partners, which include the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others,” she added.

Natalaray also mentioned that specialized training for health workers in rural health units and district hospitals has been conducted, focusing on dengue case management and vector surveillance.

Monitoring teams have been deployed to areas with clustering of cases and hotspots to provide technical assistance on outbreak preparedness and response.

Additionally, mosquito control commodities such as insecticides, mosquito nets, machines for indoor residual spraying, and diagnostic and treatment supplies have been distributed to various local government units.

STATE OF CALAMITY IN PASSI CITY

Meanwhile, Passi City has been placed under a state of calamity following a significant surge in dengue cases.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod formalized the declaration through Resolution No. 2024-129 during a special session on Friday, August 9. As of August 8, the city health office reported 327 confirmed dengue cases, including one fatality.

City Mayor Stephen Palmares emphasized the urgency of the situation.

“Upon consultation and with the approval of the city council of Passi City, we have declared the city under a state of calamity. As determined by the city health office, we have an outbreak of dengue, and before anything else, we have to declare this state of calamity so that we can mobilize financial resources and logistics to combat the spread of dengue,” he said in a radio interview.

In response, the mayor convened an emergency meeting with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and other department heads on Monday, August 12, to discuss enhanced measures to curb the rising cases and address urgent concerns.

The city government urges residents to remain vigilant and participate in preventive measures to control the spread of dengue.

This includes cleaning surroundings to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, seeking early medical attention for symptoms, and following health advisories issued by local authorities.

The dengue situation in Iloilo Province has also reached alarming levels, with the Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reporting 3,608 cases as of August 3—a 242% increase from the previous year. Passi City has recorded the highest number of cases, followed by Dingle, Lambunao, Oton, and Dumangas.

The province has reported six dengue-related fatalities, including a ten-year-old child from Passi City.

IPHO Head Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon previously announced plans to declare a province-wide outbreak. She confirmed that the office has submitted an IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) report to the Department of Health (DOH) detailing the latest dengue situation and is awaiting further instructions from the health department.