ILOILO CITY: The Department of Health (DOH) and the city health office here are working overtime to stem the spread of Zika virus, which showed a rapid increase in the number of cases in just two weeks. DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag on Wednesday said there are nine confirmed cases in the country this year that include seven in Iloilo City, one in Cebu City and one in Laguna province. Meanwhile, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog assured residents that city health officials are in control of the semingly rapid spread of dengue fever and Zika virus in some villages here. Mabilog said the city is ready for any eventuality as assessment of the situation is being done by the city health office and DOH regional office. In the province of Iloilo, dengue cases numbered 6,808 with 15 deaths as of September 10, 2016 or a 406-percent increase from the 2015 record of 1,348 cases with seven deaths.

Source: Manila Times September 21, 2016 14:03 UTC