SUNGAI PETANI: Six more cases of Chikungunya fever were reported in Kedah, bringing the total number of suspected victims to 83.

State health department deputy director Dr Shahidan Hashim said in a statement yesterday all the new cases were in Kampung Watt Padang Peliang and Kampung Syed Ahmad, both in the Pendang district.

"There are still 46 people warded in six hospitals and they are being treated for suspected Chikungunya fever."

Of the number, 19 were in Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital here, nine in Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star, eight in Yan Hospital, five in Baling Hospital, three in Kulim Hospital and two in Jitra Hospital, he said.

Dr Shahidan said they were treated for fever, joint pains and headaches, adding that his department had taken various measures including fogging and the clearing of Aedes mosquito breeding grounds to contain the disease.

Chikungunya fever is a viral illness that is spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes.