KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Health officials are calling on residents to take strict precautionary measures as the province monitors a rise in cases of WILD diseases like water-borne illness, Influenza, leptospirosis and Dengue fever as continuous rainfall is experienced in South Cotabato.
Health Education Promotion Officer (HEPO) Eldon Serame reminded the public that the onset of the rainy season brings an increased risk of vector-borne and seasonal illnesses. Health authorities strongly advise seeking immediate medical consultation at the nearest health center upon experiencing early symptoms, including fever, severe headache, body aches, persistent diarrhea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, or jaundice.
According to the Provincial Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit (PESU) report covering January 1 to July 18, 2026, South Cotabato recorded a total of 2,213 suspected Influenza-like illness (ILI) cases—a 14% increase compared to the 1,933 cases logged during the same period last year.
The report said patient ages ranged from 11 days old to 93 years old (median age: 6), with males slightly more affected at 52% (1,139 cases).
Polomolok logged the highest number of cases in the province, accounting for 27% (591 cases).
No ILI-related deaths have been recorded.
ILI transmission peaked early in the year, breaching the alert threshold. While cases gradually declined to near or below alert levels, continuous surveillance remains critical to prevent future spikes.
PESU said case clusters were identified across multiple municipalities, including 11 barangays in Koronadal City, 8 in Tampakan, 6 in Tupi, 4 in Surallah, 3 in Polomolok, 2 each in Banga, Norala, and T’boli, and 1 in Tantangan.
Dengue transmission, meanwhile, has also shown a sharp uptick, with 332 new cases recorded from July 12 to July 18 alone—a 22% spike compared to the 273 cases reported in the preceding morbidity week.
From January 4 to July 18, 2026, total dengue cases reached 3,118, marking an 8% increase from the same timeframe in 2025.
The record showed that affected ages spanned from 1 month to 96 years old (median age: 18), with males making up 51% of patients. Out of the total cases, 1,451 (47%) were classified as suspect, 1,350 (43%) as laboratory-confirmed, and 317 (10%) as probable.
Most of the cases—2,066 (66.3%)—were categorized as dengue with warning signs, 1,043 (33.4%) as dengue without warning signs, and 9 cases (0.3%) were severe dengue.
PESU confirmed eight dengue-related deaths. The victims ranged from 8 months to 18 years old (median age: 5 years), predominantly females in the 0–9 age bracket.
The deaths were reported in Barangay Lake Lahit (Lake Sebu); Cannery Site, Magsaysay, and Poblacion (Polomolok); Lamsugod and Libertad (Surallah); New Dumangas (T’boli); and Poblacion (Tupi). Five of the fatalities presented warning signs, while three were severe dengue cases; 88% were laboratory-confirmed.
Several communities have been designated as dengue hotspots, including specific barangays in Banga (Benitez, Cinco, Improgo, Liwanay, Punong Grande, Reyes), Koronadal City (Carpenter Hill, Gen. Paulino Santos, Morales, San Jose, Sta. Cruz), Lake Sebu (Lamdalag, Poblacion, Talisay), Polomolok (Cannery Site, Poblacion), Sto. Niño (Guinsang-an), Surallah (Buenavista, Centrala, Colongulo, Dajay, Libertad, Talahik), Tampakan (Kipalbig, Poblacion, Pula Bato, Sta. Cruz), T’boli (Kematu, New Dumangas), and Tupi (Bololmala, Poblacion).
Case clustering was also observed in 13 barangays in Koronadal, 11 in Banga, eight each in Surallah and T’boli, seven in Tupi, six each in Sto. Niño and Tampakan, four each in Lake Sebu and Norala, three in Tantangan, and two in Polomolok.
Health officials remind the public to practice standard defensive health measures: practice frequent handwashing, keep household and community environments clean, consume well-cooked and fresh food, wear protective gear like umbrellas or raincoats when outdoors, and strengthen immune defenses through adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and regular exercise.
