Philippines: Dengue increase reported in Iloilo province in 2025
Officials with the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) report an increase in dengue fever cases during the first month of 2025.
Late last week, health officials report 385 cases and four deaths during January 2025, a 58 percent increase from the same period in 2024, when 244 cases and no deaths were recorded.
Based on epidemiological data, the province of Iloilo is still at the outbreak level since it was declared in August 2024.
The highest number of cases was from Cabatuan, with 22, followed by the towns of Leon, Oton, and San Joaquin, with 21 cases each, and Dumangas, with 19.
The deaths this past month include two from Pototan town, and one each from Carles and Oton.
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Children under the age of nine account for 40 percent of the cases.
IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro QuiƱon said the IPHO would strengthen its campaign, in coordination with municipal and city health offices, to ensure the strict observance of the 4S strategy.
4S stands for Search and destroy breeding places, Seek early consultation, Self-protection, and Say yes to fogging and spraying.
It will also make sure that rural health units have funds to combat dengue, including the purchase of dengue test kits, medicines, information and education campaign materials, and for fogging and indoor residual spraying to control the mosquito population.
Dengue in the Philippines 2022 with Edsel Maurice Salvana, MD
The IPHO advised the public to immediately seek medical consultation for assessment and management if they have a high fever with symptoms of dengue, which include headache, muscle and joint pains, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and rashes.
Dengue is a disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. The disease can take up to 2 weeks to develop with illness generally lasting less than a week.
Symptoms from dengue include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle and joint pain, and minor bleeding.
Dengue can become severe within a few hours. Severe dengue is a medical emergency, usually requiring hospitalization.
In severe cases, health effects can include hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), shock (seriously low blood pressure), organ failure, and death.