The number of dengue cases in the province of Iloilo in the first seven months of 2024 was higher by 161 percent than in the same period a year ago.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) logged 2, 493 cases from January 1 to July 20, 2024. The figure includes six deaths.
Passi City accounted for the highest cases in the province with 171, followed by Lambunao (156), Badiangan (118), Dumangas (111) and Calinog (110).
Oton ranked sixth with 108 cases, followed by Dingle (98), Janiuay (92), Barotac Nuevo (80), and Cabatuan and Lemery (72 cases each).
The dengue fatalities were reported in Badiangan (2), Miagao (2), Lambunao (1), and Dingle (1).
Of the total cases, most or 912 of the cases belonged to the 1 to 10 age group and 829 were from the 11 to 20 age bracket.
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
