Iloilo: The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is encouraging the public to be proactive and intensify the observance of the 4S strategy amid the high incidence of dengue, which is expected to rise further with the coming rainy season. In an interview on Tuesday, Dr. Rodney Labis, head of the IPHO health service delivery division, said the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit recorded 69 new cases during the 20th week of their monitoring.
According to Philippines News Agency, this equates to 1,742 cases with nine recorded deaths from January 1 to May 20, marking a 77.2 percent increase over the same period last year. Labis noted that all municipalities in the province are affected, with cases spanning all age groups. Children aged one to nine accounted for 34.15 percent of total cases, while those aged 10 to 19 made up 28.42 percent.
'The cases of dengue remain above the outbreak level, and we expect that starting June, cases will continue to spike and reach their peak in July or August,' Labis stated. He urged the public to participate in the regular cleanup held every Monday at 4 p.m. as part of the 'Limpyo Iloilo, kada Lunes nga lIhok Kontra Lamok' campaign by the provincial government.
Labis mentioned that the IPHO has collaborated with the Department of Education to incorporate the 'search and destroy mosquito-breeding places' strategy into the Brigada Eskwela in preparation for the opening of classes. 'Our data showed that the most affected age group is in schools,' he highlighted.
In addition, hospitals and rural health units in the province have established dengue fast lanes in their consultation areas to expedite interventions for suspected cases. Labis explained that the IPHO is also exploring other components of the dengue prevention program through dengue coordinators and sanitary inspectors in municipalities.
The 4S strategy not only involves searching and destroying mosquito-breeding sites and seeking early consultation but also supports fogging and spraying in hotspot areas and securing self-protection.
