DOH reports 43 chikungunya cases from January-May 2022

The Philippines has recorded 43 cases of chikungunya -- a virus transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes -- from January 1 to May 21.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the number of cases this year is 169% higher compared to the record in the same period last year.

Data from the DOH show that 29 cases or 67% were from Central Visayas while eight cases or 19% were from the Davao Region.

Earlier, DOH-11 said it detected 17 suspected cases of the virus.

Meanwhile, the DOH said 13 cases were recorded from April 24 to May 21.

Of this, 10 cases or 77% were from Central Visayas, one case was from the Davao Region, another was from Calabarzon, and the remaining was from the National Capital Region.

“The region with the most number of cases cumulatively and recently was Region VII… However, from May 1-21, 2022, there were only two (2) cases reported in the said region,” the DOH said in a statement.

According to the DOH, no deaths were recorded among the present cases.

Earlier, the World Health Organization said that a chikungunya virus infection may result in fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, joint swelling, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash.

Dengue

Meanwhile, the DOH data also show there were 34,938 reported cases of dengue from January 1 to May 21 this year, or 23% higher compared to the same period last year.

Of this, a total of 4,544 cases or 13% were from Central Visayas, 4,312 or 12% were from Central Luzon, while 3,215 or 9% were from the Zamboanga Peninsula.

A total of 10,738 dengue cases were meanwhile recorded from April 24 to May 21, of which 1,416 or 13% were from Central Visayas; 1,329 or 13% were from Central Luzon; and 856 or 8% were from the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Also, the DOH said that the Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, the Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Davao Region, the Bangasmoro Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region showed an increase in cases.

According to the DOH,  180 have already died due to dengue this year. —LBG, GMA News