Dengue cases in Iloilo up by 69%; death toll at 4

Cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the province of Iloilo have reached more than a thousand, data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed.

PHO recorded a total of 1,003 dengue cases from January 1 to May 25 this year, higher by 69 percent compared to 593 cases logged in the same period last year.

The latest figure includes four deaths from the towns of Lambunao (1), Miagao (2), and Badiangan (1).

Lambunao posted the highest number of cases in the province at 72, followed by Oton, 56; Passi City, 53; Miagao, 47; Calinog, 46; Estancia, 39; Lemery, 38, Badiangan, 36; Dumangas, 33; and Pavia, 31.

Carles ranked 11th with 30 cases, followed by Leon, 30; Sara, 29; Balasan, 27; Ajuy, and San Joaquin, 26 each; Banate, 25; San Dionisio and Santa Barbara, 22 each; Dingle, 21; and Barotac Viejo, 20.

Dengue, which mainly affects children, is transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Its symptoms include sudden onset of fever for two to seven days and at least two of the following: headache, body weakness, joint and muscle pains, pain behind the eyes, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes.IMT