Chikungunya Fever hits Rapu-Rapu, Albay, Philippines

[kylesmith025]

I know that this is a bit late to share but in case who has relatives in the Philippines I would still share this. Posted by Craig Taylor http://www.semphi.com/post/134957730...ay-philippines

It says that Rapu-rapu, Albay catch the chikungunya fever and may spread out if not prevented. It says that it was caused by mosquito bites. Far as I know, countries that have this is Indonesia and Rapu-rapu is miles away from Indonesia. I don't know how it got there but I hope that it would be stopped.

Please share.

[Doc Alan]

Thank you for drawing our attention to chikungunya, a viral infection caused by the bite of an infected mosquito of the same type ( Aedes ) as causes dengue.
• Well over 100 cases have been diagnosed in Albay since July. The worry and problem has been that there is no immediate access to healthcare in this area – patients need a 3-4 hour boat trip to see a doctor and general hospital. This is serious for the residents, and worth considering in advance for anyone who may be thinking of ANY remote area for travel.

• Chikungunya is not common and there’s no vaccine. There’s also no specific drug treatment, although most make a full recovery. The only way to prevent it is to avoid mosquito bites. Less than a hundred cases are reported each year in the UK – mostly in travellers from the Indian sub-continent or South-East Asia.

• ANY traveller returning to the UK who has or develops a fever or other signs and symptoms should of course attend their doctor. Chikungunya is – rightly – not the first condition the doctor will consider – we were taught at medical school that “ common illnesses occur commonly “.

• It’s common sense, again, but tell the doctor your symptoms, where you’ve been, and ( if it’s not your usual doctor, and you can remember ) your vaccination record.

• Initial symptoms of mild, self-limiting infections, and serious infections can be the same.

• It could be “ traveller’s diarrhoea “ which has several causes, mostly not serious, but some are ( cholera, typhoid, dysentery ).

• Dengue is common in the Philippines and there is as yet no vaccine available nor specific treatment.

• Malaria is not common in the Philippines but needs diagnosis and correct treatment ( free on the NHS ) – a history of taking anti-malarial tablets does NOT exclude the diagnosis.

• Sexually transmitted diseases – including HIV ( rarely diagnosed in the Philippines ) – may present with a fever among other symptoms.

• Tuberculosis or less serious chest infections are also possible – possibly with no symptoms for weeks after return to the UK.

• Although it’s important to tell your doctor where you’ve travelled, and all other information ( in confidence ) – there’s still a chance that symptoms developed once home may be nothing to do with travel. That’s for the doctor to decide, but guided very much by what you tell him/her .

[Steve.r]

Thanks Alan

[kylesmith025]

Thank you for drawing our attention to chikungunya, a viral infection caused by the bite of an infected mosquito of the same type ( Aedes ) as causes dengue.
• Well over 100 cases have been diagnosed in Albay since July. The worry and problem has been that there is no immediate access to healthcare in this area – patients need a 3-4 hour boat trip to see a doctor and general hospital. This is serious for the residents, and worth considering in advance for anyone who may be thinking of ANY remote area for travel.

• Chikungunya is not common and there’s no vaccine. There’s also no specific drug treatment, although most make a full recovery. The only way to prevent it is to avoid mosquito bites. Less than a hundred cases are reported each year in the UK – mostly in travellers from the Indian sub-continent or South-East Asia.

• ANY traveller returning to the UK who has or develops a fever or other signs and symptoms should of course attend their doctor. Chikungunya is – rightly – not the first condition the doctor will consider – we were taught at medical school that “ common illnesses occur commonly “.

• It’s common sense, again, but tell the doctor your symptoms, where you’ve been, and ( if it’s not your usual doctor, and you can remember ) your vaccination record.

• Initial symptoms of mild, self-limiting infections, and serious infections can be the same.

• It could be “ traveller’s diarrhoea “ which has several causes, mostly not serious, but some are ( cholera, typhoid, dysentery ).

• Dengue is common in the Philippines and there is as yet no vaccine available nor specific treatment.

• Malaria is not common in the Philippines but needs diagnosis and correct treatment ( free on the NHS ) – a history of taking anti-malarial tablets does NOT exclude the diagnosis.

• Sexually transmitted diseases – including HIV ( rarely diagnosed in the Philippines ) – may present with a fever among other symptoms.

• Tuberculosis or less serious chest infections are also possible – possibly with no symptoms for weeks after return to the UK.

• Although it’s important to tell your doctor where you’ve travelled, and all other information ( in confidence ) – there’s still a chance that symptoms developed once home may be nothing to do with travel. That’s for the doctor to decide, but guided very much by what you tell him/her .

Thanks for sharing such information Alan.