Nearly half of the dengue cases in the province of Iloilo involved children, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
PHO recorded a total of 385 cases of dengue from January 1 to February 1, higher by 58 percent compared to the 244 cases logged in the same period last year.
Of the latest figure, more than 40 percent were children aged 1 to 9 years old, said PHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon.
To prevent the spread of dengue, Quiñon advised parents to use mosquito repellents and dress their children in long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and sacks, especially when they go outside.
Dengue, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.” Its symptoms include fever, severe pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.
Aedes aegypti is the principal carrier of the dengue virus. This species of mosquito, which is also called tiger mosquito, can be identified by the white bands on its legs and a silver-white pattern of scales on its body. Its peak biting time is after sunrise and at dusk one hour before sunset.IMT
