Biliran town now under state of calamity after chikungunya outbreak

TACLOBAN CITY – The island-town of Maripipi in Biliran province has been placed under a state of calamity following the outbreak of chikungunya that has affected 76 people.

The town council heeded the recommendation of Maripipi Mayor Uldarico Macorol on Monday to place the farthest municipality of Biliran under a calamity state to enable the municipal government to procure needed medicines to address the chikungunya scare hitting the town.

Dr. Gabino Velazquez, municipal health officer, said chikungunya was first monitored in April when three persons got sick of the virus.

Since then, he added the number of cases had been going up.

At least 76 cases of chikungunya had been recorded from April to July 30, Velasquez said.

But he said the number could be higher since there were patients who didn’t go to their health station for treatment.

“That is why we are appealing to them to visit our health center,” Velasquez said.

High cases of chikungunya were recorded in six out of 15 villages in Maripipi. These were Bato, Banlas, Binalayan, Ermita, Binongto-an and Danao.

The last time Maripipi had cases of chikungunya was in 2016 when 71 cases were recorded in Barangays Agutay and Danao.

The victims showed signs and symptoms of the viral disease – week-long fever, body rashes and joint pain, which was debilitating.

Since the virus was mosquito-borne, Velasquez urged the public to clean their surroundings and remove breeding places of mosquitoes.

“We are also conducting fogging operations (in affected villages),” he said.

Biliran is one of the newest provinces in Eastern Visayas.