KUANTAN: Twenty-eight confirmed cases of Chikungunya fever have been detected in three districts of Pahang since Aug 2.

The highest number of cases was in Maran, where 12 people tested positive, out of 18 suspected or clinically diagnosed cases.

Bera reported 10 out of 22 suspected cases and Bentong, six out 138.

Another four people were suspected to have contracted the mosquito-borne disease in Rompin, but their blood samples were negative.

All the cases were recorded after the first case was reported in Bentong.

State health director Datuk Dr Rosnah Ismail, who confirmed the cases, said the outbreaks were under control as no new cases were reported in the past few days.

She said the Health Department had also launched a campaign to create awareness of Chikungunya by distributing pamphlets and giving talks at hospitals and public clinics.

"Those who show symptoms of Chikungunya, namely fever, poliathrithis (joint pain) and rashes, should seek treatment at a government clinic or hospital as soon as possible."

She said the public should give priority to cleanliness at homes and offices, and destroy potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes.

The Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, usually by Aedes albopictus, a relative of the Aedes aegypti that carries the dengue virus.

There is no known cure or vaccine for the disease, but patients usually recover on their own within seven to 14 days.

The disease is believed to have originated in Africa, and gets its name from a Swahili word.

When translated, it means "that which bends up" because its arthritic-like symptoms would leave the victims stooped.

In Seremban, the state Health Department said it would conduct blood tests on 16 residents of Kampung Akar, Mantin, near here, who were suspected to have contracted Chikungunya.

Health director Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the tests would be done at Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital.

"Most of them have received treatment at private clinics and are in stable condition.

"However, we will still do the blood tests to get the correct diagnosis," he said yesterday.

He said checks by health officers at the village found some places to be active breeding grounds for mos-quitoes.