A health official has cited climate change as the main reason for the increase in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are known to carry the dengue virus.
In a report by ABS-CBN News, Dr. Kim Patrick Tejano of the Department of Health (DOH-6) said flooding wrought by climate change allows dengue-carrying mosquitoes to thrive.
“Ang repeated flooding o iyong paulit-ulit na pagbabaha tapos biglang magiging matuyo tapos ulit magkakaroon ng ulan – itong mga situations na ito ay actually nakakapag-induce pa ng pag-hatch ng mga Aedes mosquito eggs natin. Mas napapabilis pa ang kanilang paglaki, ang kanilang pag-mature,” he said in a forum.
“Base rin sa mga pag-aaral, tumataas ang kanilang survival and thriving rate sa mga paiba-ibang panahon – repeated flooding, pagkatuyo, drying tapos pag-submerge ulit nila sa tubig,” Tejano added.
In the province of Iloilo, dengue cases increased by 79 percent in the first half of 2024.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) recorded 1,294 dengue cases from January 1 to June 22 this year, higher compared to 723 cases recorded in the same period in 2023.
Lambunao logged the highest number of cases in the province at 88, followed by Passi City (69), Oton (67), Badiangan (62), Calinog (61), Miagao (55), Lemery (51), Estancia (43), Dumangas (41), and Ajuy (40).
The cases this year include five deaths from Lambunao (1), Badiangan (2), Ang Miagao (2).IMT
