DOH confirms chikungunya outbreak in Ilocos Sur

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Health authorities in Ilocos Sur reported the presence of mosquito borne viral disease, chikungunya, in the province.

Provincial Health Officer Carmeliza Singson said a total of 241 cases of chikungunya infection were recorded from January to September this year.

July and August were the months where the highest number of cases was noted with 108 and 70, respectively.

Singson said the town with the highest number of confirmed cases is in mountainous Galimuyod with 132 cases. Of which, 85 were recorded in July and 31 in February. The second highest case however was in the lowland Candon City with 28 cases in August, 21 in July and 20 in June.

Other towns affected by the virus are Santiago (16 cases in August), Lidlidda (11 cases in August), Santa Lucia (four cases in August, one in June), Santo Domingo (one in July), Sigay (one case in August) and Sinait (one case in August). 

“No cases were recorded from March to May,” Singson said.

Though health officials in Ilocos Sur reported that dengue cases has dropped by 28.21 percent from 1,471 cases for the period of January 1 to August 30 in 2015 to 1,095 cases for the same period this year.   

The top 10 municipalities with high incidence of dengue infection this year are Cabugao (157), followed by Candon City (79); Quirino (68); Santa Lucia (64); Magsingal (59);  Vigan City (58);  Tagudin (55);  San Juan (50); Santa Cruz (49) and Bantay ( 48).

Health officials have met with local health officials and have given them technical aid in the prevention and control of the diseases to avert the diseases further spread.