Chikungunya cases rising

Four dengue patients were killed in Iloilo province from January 1 to July 28 this year, while cases of chikungunya are also rising, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon yesterday said two of the four dengue deaths were recorded in Janiuay town, and one each in the towns of Ajuy and Calinog.

Quiñon said two of those who died are children aged four and six years old, while two others were teenagers, aged 16 and 18 years old.

PHO data show there are 735 suspected dengue cases in the province as of July 28, higher by 58 percent compared to the 465 cases recorded on the same period of last year.

Most of the cases are in Janiuay with 99; Ajuy, 66; Dumangas, 48; Calinog, 46; and Pavia, 36.

Quiñon attributed the increase of cases to the continuous rain being experienced in the province since the previous months.

“The vectors have a lot of breeding places. Search and destroy of breeding places is still the best that we can do,” she said.

Aside from dengue, Quiñon said they are also concerned about the spread of chikungunya in the province.

As of July 28, there are 104 cases recorded, majority of them in Alimodian town with 96 cases. Other cases were recorded in Leganes with six, and one in Calinog.

In the village of Atabay alone in Alimodian, Quiñon said there are 52 cases, adding that it started with only one case recorded last April and tremendously increases thereafter.

Quiñon also attributed the increase of chikungunya cases to the continuous monsoon rains.

She explained that chikungunya has the same vector with dengue, which are Aedis Aegypti mosquitoes.

She advised the public to consult a doctor when they feel some of the symptoms of chikungunya, especially joint pain.

Quiñon also urged the public to conduct residual spraying weekly or discriminate fogging if available, perform larvicide operations, and other methods of environmental management to lower vector density. (PNA)