BUTUAN CITY—Fifteen persons were hospitalized due to Chikungunya, an illness caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites— much like dengue fever—that has hit Caraga region lately particularly Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
Seventy-eight cases of the disease have been documented.
Department of Health regional director for Caraga Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr. said symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and skin rashes.
Llacuna said the regional office of the department has sent a medical team and quick response team to help the local government unit of Esperanza in containing the disease.
“One of the findings of our team was that the problem of sanitation and cleanliness,” Llacuna added.
“The 78 cases in Esperanza town were initially thought to have dengue, but we found out that there were no signs of blood hemorrhage,” Llacuna added.