Health authorities have sounded the alarm bells over the sudden surge of chikungunya cases in Zamboanga del Sur.

Data from the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed that 218 cases of Chikungunya were recorded from January to July 2024. In 2023, only 28 cases of Chikungunya were recorded in the province.

The town of Tabina has the most cases with 47, followed by Lapuyan and Dinas with more than 30 cases each.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain.

While dengue is more dangerous than chikungunya, authorities said the public should not be complacent.

“Ang dengue, naa siya’y straight nga high-grade fever for 2-3 days dayon abdominal pain, whereas ang kaning chikungunya, 1-2 days fever, dayon didto na mo-appear ang rashes nga erythematous, medyo dagko-dagko siya compared sa dengue. Ang chikungunya, naa siya’y joint pain,” IPHO Zamboanga del Sur Health Education and Promotion Officer, Dahlia Aseniero, said.

Authorities said both children and adults may catch chikungunya.

IPHO said the 5S habit against dengue should also be applied to combat chikungunya, which include search and destroy, self-protection, seek early consultation, support fogging, and sustain hydration. Each barangay was also directed to conduct cleanup drive daily.

“Kung pananglitan naa ta’y kauban sa pamilya nga naka-experience na og hilanat, joint pains, ang pinakahimuon, modangop ta sa atong pinakaduol nga health center para ma-check ug maobserbahan,” Aseniero added.