Chikungunya cases up in Biliran

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — More chikungunya cases were recorded in Maripipi town in Biliran four days after it was placed under a state of calamity due to rising number of cases.

Eight of the 15 barangays in the island town were affected by the disease with 101 cases reported yesterday, health officer Gabino Velasquez IV said.

Velasquez had earlier deployed health workers to check more possible victims in remote villages.

Records show that Barangay Binongto-an recorded with 43 cases; Ermita, 39; Casibang, four; Bato, Banlas and Canduhao, two each, and Binalayan East and Vinta, one each.

Mayor Uldarico Macorol of Maripipi said three cases were initially monitored last April 30.

“I’m happy because health officials from the regional and Biliran provincial health offices immediately sent medical teams to help in the information drive,” Macorol said.

Chikungunya is a viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

In Ilocos Norte, the provincial health office said it is running out of dengue kits due to rising number of cases.

Five deaths and more than 400 cases of dengue were recored as of last month. 

Josephine Ruedas, Ilocos Norte provincial health officer, said two of the fatalities are from Dingras town and one each from Bado, Solsona and Laoag. 

Dingras was recently declared under a state of calamity as the number of dengue cases continues to rise. – Jun Elias