The province of Iloilo recorded the highest number of dengue cases in Western Visayas, data from the Department of Health (DOH-6) showed.
From January 1 to April 1 this year, Iloilo logged 385 dengue cases, higher by 218 percent compared to 121 cases in the same period a year ago.
The province was followed by Negros Occidental with 348 cases; Aklan, 191; Capiz, 136; Antique, 133; Iloilo City, 126; Bacolod City, 112; and Guimaras, 33.
All in all, the region registered 1,465 dengue cases, higher by 136 percent than last year’s 620 cases.
The latest figure include seven deaths, of which two each from Aklan and Iloilo City, and one each from Capiz, Negros Occidental, and Bacolod City.
Fifty percent of the cases belonged to the 1 to 10 years old age group.
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
