DENGUE ON THE RISE

2 more die as PHO registers 934 cases

As the rainy season nears, two more people in Iloilo have died due to dengue, raising the number of deaths to eight this year, according to the Provincial Health Office.

Based on the recent report of the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU), the two new deaths were recorded in the towns of Cabatuan and Oton during the 18th (from April 28 to May 4) and 19th (from May 5 to 11) Morbidity Week surveillance.

Of the six earlier recorded deaths meanwhile, three were from Cabatuan and one each from Estancia, New Lucena and Banate.

Statistics also showed that from January to May 18 of this year, there are already 934 recorded dengue cases in Iloilo, which is higher by 168 percent compared to the same period of last year.

The reported cases came from 42 municipalities in the province and the component city of Passi.

Of same period of last year, only six deaths were recorded.

PHO Chief Dr. Patricia Trabado said that of the recorded cases, the most affected were children aged one to 10 with 578 cases.

Those belonging to 11 to 20 age bracket followed with 256 cases; 21 to 30, 62 cases; 31 to 40, 18 cases; and 41 and above has eight.

Infants or those below one year old have 12 cases.

To mobilize the community’s participation and improve awareness, a clean-up activity dubbed as People Power Kontra Dengue will be conducted on Monday, May 27 at Cabatuan town.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. said Cabatuan recorded with the highest dengue cases, which reached to 105.

With the increase of deaths due to dengue, Defensor reminded Ilonggos to seek medication when having early signs of dengue, especially fever.

In all hospitals in the province, if the patient has dengue, medication is free, Defensor explained.

The governor also called on for year-round pre-emptive measures against dengue saying that prevention must begin in the household.*