Public warned vs Chikungunya virus

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 28-- City Council committee on health, sanitation and health insurance on August 15 said a mosquito-borne disease called Chikungunya virus is now affecting residents of Cagayan de Oro.

In her special report during the regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy, Councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane, chair of the committee, said the disease shares clinical signs similar with dengue as the infected person will experience fever, rashes, nausea, vomiting, and a debilitating symptom of severe joint pain that will last for years.

She said just like dengue, the disease can be transmitted from human to human by the bite of an infected female mosquito.

The two species of mosquitoes which transmit the virusare Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours, but the peak of its activity is in the early morning and late afternoon, councilor Gaane explained.

Dr. Joey Retuya, epidemiologist of the City Health and Sanitation Clinic, said four to five cases of chikungunya have been recorded since January this year.

According to Dr. Retuya, the disease was detected inBarangay Mambuaya, wherein 79 cases were positive. In the training center of police officers in Gusa, nine out of 44 cases were also found positive, he cited.

DENGUE CASES

Councilor Gaane said based on latest data,dengue cases in the city has already reached 1,017 with one reported case of death. She said the figure is expected to increase due to the onset of the La Nintilde;a phenomenon.

4S HABIT

To prevent these mosquito-borne diseases, Gaane advises the public to follow the 4S habit: Search for breeding sites of mosquitoes; Self-protective measures such as placing screen on the windows; Seek early consultation; and Say no to fogging in communities because of its harmful effects to health.

Gaane announced that the City Health Office, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), has been distributing insecticide-treated mosquito nets to every elementary school in the city as one of the government's preventive measures against dengue.

Vice mayor Uy referred the report to the committee on health for appropriate action. (EF/CDO Legislative Information)