Dengue cases in Iloilo dropped

By Erly C. Garcia

Cases of Hemorrhagic Dengue fever in the province of Iloilo has relatively dropped this year following the massive information dissemination conducted by provincial health personnel.

Data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) show that from January to August 20 this year 262 cases of Dengue Fever have been recorded all over the province in which 1 patient, a five year old child from San Joaquin, died.

The figure is way below last year's record for the same period that reached 733 cases, says Merlyn Sustento, IPHO Sanitation Inspector.

Topping the list in this year's record is the municipality of Oton with 29 cases, followed by Pavia with 26 cases, Tigbauan-19, Barotac Viejo – 18, San Joaquin – 16, Sta. Barbara – 12, Tubungan – 12, Guimbal – 10, Pototan, and Passi City-9.

Sustento said the drop in Dengue cases could be attributed to the successful information dissemination campaign implemented by IPHO personnel with the help of the barangay health workers (BHWs).

She said, with the massive house-to-house campaign being done by the BHWs the community have become aware of how to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings.

Sustento, however, said that despite the drop in cases the people should not be complacent since there is still remaining two months of rainy season.

She urged the community to continue with the “4 o'clock habit”, a province-wide campaign which calls on the community to clean their surroundings every Saturday 4:00 p.m.