Chikungunya outstrips dengue this season

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 24

Chikungunya cases have outstripped dengue in the national capital this year with similar trends being reported from most parts of the country. With Chikungunya cases now touching over 600 in Delhi as against around 100 of dengue, the Centre today reviewed the situation asking all government hospital authorities in the capital to destroy mosquito breeding sites at least on their campuses by August 28.

Health Minister JP Nadda took a review meeting on Chikungunya with the Delhi authorities and said test kits were in ample supply. The ministry has asked Delhi and other states to hold aggressive vector control campaigns to prevent the spread of Chikungunya, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes that causes a sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain.

Other symptoms of Chikungunya may include fatigue, muscle pain, headache and rash. Symptoms usually appear two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. No vaccine exists to prevent chikungunya virus, and there’s no effective antiviral treatment. However, the disease runs a limited course and is rarely fatal.

Ministry sources today said dengue cases have been limited this year mainly to Kerala, Karnataka and West Bengal. Deaths are higher in Bengal where the health authorities have seen Type 2 dengue. In Delhi, reports from patients indicate the cases involve Type 3 dengue, which is not fatal.