Chikungunya outbreak: Ilocos town declared under state of calamity

By Freddie G. Lazaro

LAOAG CITY -- A town in the province of Ilocos Norte has been declared under a state of calamity following the sudden outbreak of suspected chikungunya fever.

San Nicolas town Vice Mayor Alfredo P. Valdez Jr. said the suspected mosquito-borne viral disease had already infested four villages of the town – affecting at least 200 residents.

The villages include San Marcos, Bugnay, San Agustin, and San Pablo, all in San Nicolas town.

According to Valdez, there is a need to declare the town under of state of calamity due to the occurrence of the suspected mosquito-borne viral disease for allocation of sufficient funding for the provision of appropriate for the patients.

He noted that most of the victims from the four affected villages include elders, unlike in the case of dengue where the patients are mostly children.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos urged residents in the province to join in the implementation of “Oplan Dalus” (cleanliness drive) to eradicate the disease.

She said the massive conduct of cleanliness and sanitation activities are some the most effective means to eliminate the virus-carrying mosquitoes.

For his part, Dr. Leoneil C. Obien, the municipal health officer of San Nicolas, said his office is presently conducting survey and verification process on the patients.

He said health personnel are now extracting blood samples from the affected villagers for examination at the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) to determine whether the victims are affected by the chikungunya virus.