Iloilo dengue cases up 432% but patients decreasing
Iloilo Province has monitored 4,399 dengue cases from January to September 11 this year, 432.5 percent higher than the 826 cases recorded in the same period in 2009, figures of the Provincial Health Office-Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit show.
The deaths have climbed to 26, including four in Cabatuan and two each in Pototan, Sta. Barbara, Oton, Dingle, and San Miguel.
Dengue deaths were also recorded in the towns of Guimbal, Janiuay, Barotac Viejo, Guimbal, Mina, Estancia, Bingawan, and Banate, and Passi City.
However, the number of suspected dengue patients brought to 12 district hospitals daily have been decreasing from September 1 to 12.
On September 1, there were 67 patients; September 2, 66; September 3, 68; September 4, 54; September 5, 33; September 6, 50; September 7, 43; September 8, 43; September 9, 51; September 10, 57; September 11, 36; and September 12, 36.
The provincial government placed Iloilo under a state of calamity due to dengue outbreak last August 17. On September 1, when the dengue death toll was at 18 only, a clean-up drive was conducted all over the province.
Mosquito Control
Meanwhile, the Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc. will turn over two boxes of Biosaint mosquito control granules to Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas tomorrow.
The larvicide donation is in support to the massive dengue prevention drive in the city.
“This is a big help to the city’s anti-dengue campaign to safeguard the health and safety of residents. We are grateful that the business community responds to this urgent health concern,” Treñas said.
Dengue already claimed 18 lives in Iloilo City out of the 967 cases reported as of September 12.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has reiterated his call for a massive cleanup drive as he believes it is one of the best solutions to the dengue problem.
The larvicide is being used in standing waters such as rain gutters, discarded tires, ornamental ponds, rain barrel, flood water, roadside ditches, dams and ponds where mosquito larvae usually thrive.
The anti-mosquito granules kill the larvae within 24 hours before they become adults and pose dengue threats.*
