M’LANG, North Cotabato—The Rural Health Unit here has declared a Chikungunya virus outbreak in Barangay Poblacion A here following the steady increase of patients admitted to various hospitals.
Dr. Glecerio Sotea, municipal health officer, said at least 50 residents have been inflicted with the disease carried by Aedes mosquitoes since last week.
The Manila-based Regional Institute of Tropical Medicine has also confirmed the primacy of the disease based on blood samples taken from patients.
Sotea fears an increase in the number of patients as there are locals who continue to troop to health centers manifesting symptoms of the virus.
“The symptoms include fever and joint pains,” Sotea said.
The municipal health officer, however, advised patients to remain calm, assuring them that the disease is not as dangerous as dengue fever.
“We are doing everything to contain the disease particularly in the most affected area,” he said.
The RHU has intensified fogging operation in the affected areas and urged residents to clear out their respective homes of stagnant waters.
Distribution of larvicides has also been maximized in other villages to prevent the spread of the disease.
Mayor Russel Abonado, for his part, has issued an order declaring every first Friday of the month as a town-wide clean up event.
In July 2013, hundreds of students from Nueva Vida National High School here were diagnosed to have been inflicted with the Chikungunya disease.