DOH-Samar warns public vs. Chikungunya

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines — The Department of Health-Samar warns public against cases of chikungunya viral infection, a PIA-8 report said.
The warning was issued in Samar province after 28 cases of fever with rashes and joint pains from Barangay Guintarcan were reported by the Municipal Health Officer of Rural Health Unit in Villareal, Samar from December 10 to 27 last year.
Ten cases or 36 percent were confirmed to have chikungunya infection through a specialized testing by the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM). No death was reported, however.
Another 235 cases with similar symptoms were reported in Barangay Banquil of the same town, which will be investigated further by local health authorities.
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti). Symptoms appear on average three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The virus causes high fever and severe joint pain, and can also cause headache, muscle pain and rashes.
Acute chikungunya fever typically lasts a few days to a few weeks; some patients have prolonged fatigue lasting several weeks. Chikungunya virus infection (whether clinically apparent or silent) is thought to confer life-long immunity.
According to Dr. Antonio Tirazona, chikungunya is usually not fatal. Co-circulation of dengue fever in many areas may mean that chikungunya fever cases are sometimes clinically misdiagnosed as dengue infections, therefore the incidences of this ailment could be much higher than what has been previously reported, he said. 
There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment currently available for chikungunya fever. Treatment is symptomatic and can include rest, fluids, and medicines to relieve symptoms of fever and aching such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or paracetamol, said Tirazona, adding that aspirin should be avoided.
The doctor said infected persons should be protected from further mosquito exposure during the first few days of illness so they can not contribute to the transmission cycle.
Tirazona suggested that infected persons must stay indoors in areas with screens or under a mosquito net. (FREEMAN)