During that period, the province had 105 additional cases which means the number of individuals falling ill to the mosquito-borne disease is already 357 percent higher than the same period in 2021, the regional line agency added.
Despite having the highest number of dengue cases in the region, the number of casualties from the disease in the province remains at five.
Antique is second in terms of percentage increase in dengue infections, at 216 percent, while Iloilo Province ranks third with 116 percent.
Provincial Administrator lawyer Rayfrando Diaz II said Monday, June 6, 2022 that the Provincial Health Office (PHO) should have implemented preventive measures against dengue since January 2022.
“Why did it reach this level when we have a budget ready since January this year?” Diaz asked.
He, however, said the PHO is now doubling its efforts to catch up and is currently visiting areas in the province where a clustering of dengue cases had been reported.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang clarified that only several localities have reached the epidemic stage in terms of dengue cases and not the entire province.
Included in the areas that reached epidemic stage in terms of dengue cases is Hinigaran town, he said, adding that they have already ordered the fogging and spraying operations in the area.
They have also advised them to have regular cleanup drives, specifically every Friday, to eliminate larvaes, he said.
“We are currently looking at the numbers to determine the top five local government units (LGUs) in the province that have breached the epidemic result level,” Tumimbang noted.
The provincial health officer added that they have also distributed larvicides from the DOH in areas where there is a clustering of dengue cases.
“We are encouraging the LGUs to purchase their own larvicides as the provincial and national governments cannot provide for all,” he also said.