Chikungunya disease originated from CDO?

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) is studying if cases of the mosquito-borne disease called Chikungunya reported in several parts of the country are connected to the cases in Cagayan de Oro.

“We are analyzing the pattern. This year, the first to report Chikungunya was Cagayan de Oro... We are trying to see if there is a pattern,” said DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag.

Tayag added that even before tropical storm ”Sendong,” an outbreak of Chikungunya cases in the province was already reported to the DOH. 

Tayag said it is possible that Chikungunya-causing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes bit some of the relief workers who went to Cagayan de Oro and they brought the virus when they returned home. 

Chikungunya cases are being reported in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Albay, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga. 

Unlike dengue, Chikungunya is not fatal and can cause arthritis in adults.

The DOH monitored an outbreak of Chikungunya in Surigao del Sur a month ago.

Tayag said the 600 cases recorded this year are not likely to surpass the more than 1,000 cases in 2011, but it is important to establish the connection between cases.