Panay News

Region 6 records 221 dengue cases in one week

- ❙ By Ime Sornito

ILOILO City – From Jan. 21 to 27 of this year, Western Visayas reported 221 dengue cases within just a week.

Data released by the Department of Health (DOH) showed three provinces with the highest number of cases during this period: Aklan (73), Iloilo Province (41), and Negros Occidental (31).

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that leads to a severe flu-like illness and, in some cases, can be deadly.

The following are the reported cases in other provinces and highly urbanized cities from Jan. 21 to 27: Antique (26), Bacolod City (six), Capiz (16), Guimaras (three), and Iloilo City (25).

From Jan. 1 to 27 the region recorded a total of 555 dengue cases, marking a 25 percent decrease compared to the 737 cases reported in the same period in 2023.

The breakdown of these cases by province and highly urbanized city is as follows:

* Aklan – 86 cases

* Antique – 64 cases

* Bacolod City – 16 cases

* Capiz – 85 cases

* Guimaras – 30 cases

* Iloilo City – 78 cases

* Iloilo Province – 119 cases

* Negros Occidental – 77 cases

The region has identified 27 barangays with clustered dengue cases, defined as three or more cases occurring within a fourweek period.

4S Strategy

The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is emphasizin­g the 4S strategy to combat dengue, particular­ly amid the El Niño phenomenon.

The 4S strategy comprises: searching for and destroying mosquito- breeding sites; adopting self- protection measures such as wearing trousers and long- sleeved shirts, along with the daily use of mosquito repellent; seeking early treatment; and supporting fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas.

“During the El Niño season, the incidence of dengue can increase significan­tly, necessitat­ing heightened vigilance and the proactive implementa­tion of the 4S strategy, especially the search and destroy initiative,” said said Dr. Maria Socorro

Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

From Jan. 1 to Feb. 3 of this year, the province reported 141 dengue cases. The municipali­ty of Oton leads with 18 cases, followed by Passi City with 13, and Pavia with 11.

Other municipali­ties with reported cases include San Joaquin, Banate, Miag-ao, Cabatuan, Janiauy, Calinog, and Lambunao, among others. No cases were reported in Anilao, Batad, Concepcion, and Zarraga.

“We urge the public to be vigilant and to immediatel­y eliminate mosquito-breeding sites. Anyone with a fever, especially a high fever, should visit our center for a dengue test,” said Quiñon.

Dengue typically begins suddenly with a high fever—104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher— and is accompanie­d by at least two of the following symptoms: severe headache, nausea or persistent vomiting, swollen glands, muscle, bone, and joint pain, pain behind the eyes, and red spots or patches on the skin./

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