Iloilo City acts ahead of dengue
The Iloilo City Government is not letting up in its campaign against dengue as it continues to lead efforts in curbing its spread.
Data from the Iloilo City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ICESU) showed 106 cases for Morbidity Week No. 8, from January 1 to February 22, 2025. This is an 11 percent decrease from 119 cases last year.
Despite this, Mayor Jerry Treñas is taking no chances against the mosquito-borne disease following the increase in reported cases in Iloilo province. He ordered city health officials to strengthen coordination with the barangays in the consistency of anti-dengue campaigns.
On Monday, the city joined the “Alas Kuwatro, Kontra Mosquito” simultaneous cleanup drive spearheaded by the Department of Health.
“Wala kita ga untat sa City Health Office (CHO), daily gapa-gwa dengue monitoring data. Ang aton Sanitary Inspectors naga-coordinate sa aton and identify weekly ano ang barangays having dengue cases to prioritize for misting. And we have meetings with concerned stakeholders every now and then,” Dr. Jan Reygine Ansino-Hortinela, Medical Officer III of ICESU, said.
So far this year, only three barangays have reported clusters of cases. These include barangays South Fundidor in Molo, Calaparan in Arevalo, and Jereos in La Paz—with three clustered cases each. The city’s first reported death is a 45-year-old male from Barangay Zamora-Melliza, City Proper with an underlying health condition.
However, with children aged one to 10 most affected, the CHO is urging barangay authorities to take the lead in ensuring community-wide engagement to protect vulnerable populations. “Aware ni ang aton barangays, pwede sila ka kadto sa aton City Health (Office) kag mabulig ang aton Environmental Misting Team sa ila.
Kung mag-cleanup drive ang aton barangay, gina dungan na naton ang misting procedure. If public schools reach out, free ni ang pagkadto naton sa ila, ang bulong kag ang procedure. Pero gina-encourage naton nga kabalo man sila on their end,” Ansino-Hortinela added.
Health officials also urge the public to seek immediate medical assistance at their respective district health centers or other medical facilities if they experience symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, and eye pain to prevent complications.
All district health centers across the city have designated dengue fast lanes to prioritize prompt consultation and care for symptomatic individuals. These centers offer free dengue tests to facilitate early detection.
“Sila man na ang naga-triage sang patients naton kun, based sa history, need i-admit. May ara man kita mga referral hospitals. For our other dengue prevention, we adhere to the 5S strategy of the Department of Health,” the medical officer further said.
The 5s strategy constitutes the search-and-destroy approach targeting mosquito breeding sites, use of self-protective measures, seeking early consultation, supporting fogging in outbreak areas, and sustaining hydration. (Pearl Socias/Iloilo City PIO)