THE NUMBER of dengue cases in Iloilo province stood at 669 as of March 2, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, much higher than the 171 reported for the full year 2018. Provincial Health Officer Maria Socorro C. Quiñon said all 42 localities recorded dengue cases. “All 42 LGUs (local government units) in the province have recorded dengue cases. Compared last year, there is a 291% increase in the number,” she said. The town of Pototan accounted for the highest number of cases with 99 and one death, followed by Passi City (68), Calinog (38), Binggawan (33) with one death, Lambunao (31), Concepcion (30) with one death, Barotac Viejo (26), Pavia and Estancia (22), Sara (19), Dingle and Dumangas (17) and New Lucena (6) with one death. Ms. Quiñon said they are now conducting indoor residual spraying activities in barangays with a clustering of dengue cases. However, Mrs. Quiñon emphasized that indoor residual spraying only targets the adult mosquitoes. “The spraying activity only targets adult mosquitoes so we need to sustain and assure that mosquitoes cannot reproduce by targeting the breeding grounds. Barangays should practice Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue, which includes clean-up of potential breeding grounds,” she said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

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