TACLOBAN CITY — Health authorities have declared a localized chikungunya outbreak in two villages in Gandara, Samar after a surge in suspected cases.

The Gandara Municipal Health Office (MHO) placed Barangays Ngoso and Catorse de Agosto under Code Red after recording a sharp increase in infections.

As of Morbidity Week 27, covering 28 June to 4 July, the municipality had recorded 84 suspected chikungunya cases, equivalent to an attack rate of 23 cases per 1,000 population.

Of the reported cases, 46 involved women and 38 involved men, with a median age of 30 years, suggesting exposure during routine household or outdoor activities, the MHO said.

The Gandara Rural Health Unit classified the spike in infections in the two barangays as a localized outbreak.

According to the World Health Organization, chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted primarily by infected female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same species that spread dengue and Zika viruses.

These mosquitoes typically bite during the daytime and breed in containers holding stagnant water.

People infected with chikungunya usually experience the sudden onset of fever accompanied by severe joint pain, which may persist for days or even weeks.

Under the Code Red declaration, all healthcare workers assigned to the two affected barangays have been ordered to report for duty to ensure uninterrupted medical services.

The MHO said it is continuing symptom surveillance across the municipality to facilitate early detection of new cases while coordinating closely with the Provincial and Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units to contain the outbreak.