By Ruth Palo, Manila Times
THE Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Unit (TDPCU) of the Davao City Health Office is closely monitoring the signs and symptoms of the chikungunya virus in two villages in the city.
Chikungunya virus is caused by Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquito family spreading dengue fever.
Melodina Babante, pest control worker at TDPCU, said Davaoeños should not only be cautioned about the dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes since Aedes mosquitoes can also spread the chikungunya virus.
Babante said these villages include Panacan and Ilang.
"We need to explain the diseases caused by Aedes mosquitoes. It has not been confirmed yet but in Panacan and Ilang, our team found signs and symptoms that are still being confirmed if it's chikungunya," she said.
The public must be aware that chikungunya is unlike dengue that you would only have a fever.
"With chikungunya, aside from fever, you would experience joint pains and rashes. Rashes that seem like measles. If you have symptoms such as these, report immediately to your health centers," she said.
She said that Barangay Ilang experienced a chikungunya outbreak before. This is why confirmatory tests are currently being done to determine the new symptoms found in the barangay (village), as well as in Panacan, to properly address the problem.
Babante underscored the need for Davaoeños to observe the 4S campaign, which stands for "search and destroy" mosquito breeding places, "secure self-protection" from a mosquito bite, "seek early consultation" when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and "say yes to fogging" as a last resort when there is an impending outbreak.
Dengue cases rise in CAR
Virus-carrying mosquitoes, according to her, have a peak biting time from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., that's why she urged parents not to let their children leave the house at this time without protection.
"Don't let them wear shorts but let them wear pajamas or long pants. They should wear long sleeves. Apply mosquito repellent. Don't let them wear dark colors like black which is attractive to mosquitoes," she said.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection.
No comments:
Post a Comment