Dengue Crisis in Iloilo: 4 Dead, Nearly 400 Infected—Is Your Town Next?

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The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has reported a concerning rise in dengue cases, with 385 incidents and four fatalities recorded in January 2025—a 58% increase compared to the same period last year. The victims included a 67-year-old woman, a 6-year-old boy, a 71-year-old man, and an 11-month-old infant. Two deaths occurred in Pototan, while Carles and Oton each reported one. 

Cabatuan registered the highest number of cases at 22, followed by Leon, Oton, and San Joaquin with 21 cases each. The number of barangays with clustering cases—defined as having two or more cases within four consecutive weeks—has also increased from 13 to 18. 

In response, IPHO personnel are conducting village inspections to ensure the proper implementation of the 4S strategy against dengue:

Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites: Eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

Seek early consultation for symptoms: Promptly visit health centers if dengue symptoms appear.

Self-protection measures: Use protective clothing and mosquito repellent.

Support fogging operations in hotspot areas: Participate in community fogging initiatives when necessary.

The IPHO is also ensuring that rural health units have adequate resources, including dengue test kits, medicines, and materials for information campaigns. Residents are urged to actively participate in community cleanup drives to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. 

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. Early detection and access to proper medical care significantly lower fatality rates. 

The World Health Organization emphasizes that prevention and control of dengue depend on effective vector control measures. There is no specific treatment for dengue; thus, early detection and proper medical care are crucial. 

In the Philippines, the National Dengue Prevention and Control Program was established in 1993, focusing on case and vector surveillance, case diagnosis and management, integrated vector management, outbreak response, health promotion, and research. 

As global temperatures rise, experts warn that diseases like dengue could become more widespread. Virologist Nerea Irigoyen from the University of Cambridge cautions that without immediate preventive measures, dengue and similar diseases may become endemic in regions previously unaffected. 

Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing dengue by maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings, eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites, and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.

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