Chikungunya resurfaces after 4 years

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 30

The health authorities in Faridabad and Gurgaon have been put on alert after two cases of chikungunya came to light. The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today informed the state Health Department about the cases.

“We have alerted the Civil Surgeons of the two districts and asked them to confirm this from the houses of the affected persons,” said Dr Vijay Garg, Director, Vector Borne Diseases in the Health Department.

He said the chikungunya case in the state was reported in 2012. As per the NVBDCP’s website, 215 suspected cases of chikungunya were reported in 2011.

“Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquito, the vector responsible for the spread of dengue. It is a debilitating illness that usually starts with fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint pains and rashes,” said Garg.

Situation alarming in Mewat

In all, 5,240 cases of suspected malaria and 104 cases of dengue have been reported this season. Nearly 70 per cent of malaria cases (3,734) have been detected in Mewat district followed by Yamunanagar and Palwal with 200 cases each.

Of 222 cases of Plasmodium Falciparum, the most deadly form of malaria, 219 have been reported in Mewat alone. Last year, 6,638 cases of malaria and 23 deaths because of fever were reported in Mewat. The health authorities had confirmed three persons died of malaria.

“Stagnant water in ponds for fishing is responsible for the spread of malaria in Mewat. Fisheries farmers do not allow our men to put oil or other larvicides in ponds for the fear of damage to fish,” Garg said.

Gurgaon has reported the maximum 136 suspected cases of dengue, out of which 31 have tested positive for the virus.

Ambala with 88 suspected and 17 positive cases, and Panchkula with 52 suspected and 14 positive cases are other districts with high incidence of dengue this year.

Garg said the department had taken steps to prevent the spread of diseases.