A total of 51 people have died due to dengue in the province of Iloilo this year.
The figure was recorded by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) from January 1 to August 3, 2019.
According to the PHO, most of the fatalities were below 10 years old.
All in all, the province had 14,017 cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the first eight months of the year, 1,442 percent higher compared to 909 cases in the same period a year ago.
Pototan posted the highest number of dengue cases in the province with 1,264, including 10 deaths. It was followed by Passi City, 651 cases (1 death); Cabatuan, 598 (5 deaths); Dingle, 592 (1 death); Sta. Barbara, 583 (1 death); Maasin 545 (3 deaths); Lambunao 550 (4 deaths); Dumangas 482; Leon, 469; and Calinog, 466.
The entire province is currently under a state of calamity due to dengue.
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Department of Health (DOH) declared a national dengue epidemic as dengue.
The DOH recorded 146,062 dengue cases, including 662 deaths, from January to July.
Among the regions, Western Visayas had the highest number of cases with 23,330.
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
