By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Perak State Health Department  has reported a significant increase in chikungunya cases in the state during the first five months of 2020.

Image/CDC

Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said 454 cases of the mosquito-borne viral infection chikungunya have been reported in Perak from January until last Saturday.

This is 30 times more compared to just 13 cases during the same period last year.

“Kampar district recorded the highest number this year with 157 cases, followed by Larut Matang and Selama (109 cases) and Kinta (99 cases). During the same period, Kinta district showed the highest increase of chikungunya cases and outbreaks,” she said in a statement.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain, which is often debilitating. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash.

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The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue and Zika, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where they are common. As there is no cure, treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.

 

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