Iloilo province reports first dengue death of the year as cases rise

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IL OIL O–The Iloi lo Provincial Health Office ( IPHO) confirmed the first dengue-related death in the province this year.

A six- year- old boy from the town of Miag-ao died on Feb. 11. The cause of death was attributed to refractory hypovolemic shock, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, severe dengue, and high-risk PCAP.

From Jan. 1 to Feb. 17, Miag-ao reported eight dengue cases, including the fatality, marking a 300% increase from the two cases recorded during the same period in 2023.

Following the child’s death, the Municipal Health Office ( MHO) of Miag- ao initiated measures such as cleanup drives, indoor residual spraying, and distribution of olyset nets, along with an information and education campaign that included public address system announcements.

Province-wide, dengue cases have shown a 10% increase from Jan. 1 to Feb. 17, with 251 cases and one death reported, compared to 228 cases during the same timeframe last year, according to Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares- Quiñon, IPHO chief.

The areas with the highest incidence of dengue are Oton ( 22), Pavia ( 16), Passi City ( 14), Dumangas ( 14), San Joaquin (12), Barotac Nuevo ( 11), Lambunao ( nine), Cabatuan ( eight), Banate (seven), and Miag-ao (eight).

Additionally, clustering of cases has been identified in Barangay Pandac, Pavia ( three), Barangay Trapiche, Oton ( three), and Barangay Tolarucan, Mina ( three), prompting t he I PHO to emphasize the importance of the 4S strategy against dengue, especially in light of the El Niño phenomenon.

The 4S strategy includes searching and destroying mosquito- breeding sites, self- protection measures, seeking early treatment, and supporting fogging or spraying in hotspot areas.

Dengue is a mosquitoborne viral infection causing severe flu- like symptoms, potentially fatal.

The I PH O advises individuals experiencing fever for two or three days to seek immediate testing for dengue at a Rural Health Unit (RHU).

Other 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.

The other towns that reported dengue cases were the following: Dueñas (seven), San Rafael ( seven), Lemery (seven), Mina (seven), Guimbal (six), Leganes (six), Sara (six), Ajuy (six), Santa Barbara (six), Tubungan (six), Janiuay (five), Calinog (five), Tigbauan (five), San Enrique ( five), Barotac Viejo (five), Concepcion (five), Anilao ( five), Leon ( four), Dingle ( four), San Miguel ( three), Bingawan ( three), Alimodian ( three), Maasin ( three), Badiangan ( three), Pototan (two), Estancia (two), Igbaras ( one), New Lucena (one), Balasan (one), Carles (one), and San Dionisio (one).

Only two towns have no recorded case as of this time – Batad and Zarraga./