Health officials here brace for another virus carried by mosquitoes called the Chikungunya.

City health officer, Dr. Apollo John Bernaldez, admitted dengue remains a top concern in the city, but health officials have to be ready for another virus “transmitted to people by mosquitoes”.

They are carried by mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti—the one also carrying dengue, and Aedes albopictus.

Like dengue, the first and common symptom that can be noticed in Chikungunya infection is fever, but accompanied with joint pain.

Infected persons might also feel muscle pain, joint swelling, headache, or rash.

Bernaldez noted that there had been outbreaks of Chikungunya Asia, Africa, India, Europe, and Pacific Oceans.

It had been noticed in Carribbean islands in the Americas sometime in late 2013, according to reports although in was in 1952 yet that it was first identified in Tanzania in the early 1952.

Tagbilaran City, as the main entry point of Bohol, has to be prepared against the new virus considering the risk of hosting infected travelers from other countries.

Like dengue, there has been no vaccine yet to prevent chikungunya virus infection, as well as any medicine found to treat the infection.

The most that can be done is just to decrease the symptoms by getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, and taking medicines to relieve fever and pain.

Bernaldez warned that while Chikungunya infection less likely to result to death, but its symptoms can severely affect the patients.

Since the virus is also transmitted by mosquitoes, Bernaldez advised the public to take the same precautionary measures as in the spread of dengue.

Immediate protection can be through the use of insect repellant, and protecting the skin from mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and pants.

Also, keeping the surroundings clean and destroying potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes can be long-term measures, Bernaldez added.

As to the dengue alert in the city, the cases continued rise but so far, there has been no death reported recently, according to Bernaldez.