S. Cotabato city raises alert vs chikungunya

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – Following an outbreak of chikungunya in the nearby Tampakan town that has affected around 300 people, health authorities here are taking steps to prevent its possible spread in the city.

Mayor Peter Miguel yesterday deployed a disease surveillance team at Sitio Dam Site in Barangay Saravia following reports that several residents have allegedly been afflicted with the disease.

City health officer Genevieve Aturdido said the team has yet to confirm if the suspected cases is chikungunya.

Sitio Dam Site is located near Barangay San Roque, a village in Tampakan town, where nearly 300 people, mostly children, were afflicted with the disease.

Last week, the municipal government of Tampakan placed the entire San Roque village under state of calamity due to the outbreak of chikungunya.

Health officials launched a cleanup drive in several villages to destroy the breeding grounds of mosquitoes.