Chikungunya spike in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines
The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in Zamboanga del Sur are reporting a surge in chikungunya cases this year.
From the beginning of the year to July, 218 cases of chikungunya were recorded. In 2023, only 28 cases of chikungunya were recorded in the province.
Tabina town saw the most cases with 47.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through by mosquitoes infected with the chikungunya virus. The mosquitoes involved in transmission are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
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The most common symptom is an abrupt onset of fever, often accompanied by joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. Severe joint pain usually lasts a few days but can persist for months or even years. Serious complications are uncommon, but atypical severe cases can cause long-term symptoms and even death, especially in older people and in children under one year old.
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya; however, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a vaccine for some travelers.