ILOILO CITY—The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported a total of 10,075 dengue cases and 25 fatalities from January 1 to October 5 this year, noting a declining trend in recent weeks.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Rodney Labis, Provincial Health Officer 1, stated on Friday that although the number of dengue cases is decreasing, it remains above the outbreak level. “Based on the dengue epidemic curve of the province, the dengue cases are steadily declining,” Labis explained during a media interview.

The peak of the outbreak saw 1,122 cases during the 32nd morbidity week from August 4 to August 10, but figures have since fallen. In the most recent weekly monitoring by the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, which covered September 29 to October 5, 329 new cases and two deaths were recorded. Lambunao municipality reported the highest number of new cases at 78.

Labis also mentioned plans for a dengue death investigation to confirm the causes of recent fatalities. Additionally, there has been a significant decrease in the number of barangays reporting clusters of dengue cases, down to 94 from 146 the previous week.

Despite the decline, Labis emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures against dengue. He urged the public and local government units to persist in implementing the 4S strategy—search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, seek early consultation for fever, use self-protection measures, and support fogging and spraying in outbreak areas.

In other health news, Labis confirmed that Iloilo province has recorded no positive cases of mpox, another communicable disease under close watch by health authorities. The province has investigated five suspect cases, all of which tested negative after confirmatory testing. “Surveillance activities by our hospitals and rural health units continue so we can immediately respond and prevent its spread in the community should there be any detected cases,” he concluded.