First case of Chikungunya after a gap of 2years; officials on toes

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 24

Punjab, on Saturday, reported the first case of chikungunya after a gap of almost two years. A 24-year-old factory worker from Ludhiana tested positive for the vector-borne disease – Chikungunya, here at Rajindra hospital Patiala.

The last case of Chikungunya in the state was reported in 2019.

State health officials informed that the 24-year-old, who is under treatment at Government Rajindra Hospital, was having symptoms of the Chikungunya and found to be infected with Chikungunya after testing.

Dr Gagan Grover, state nodal officer, said that the infected person had been working in a factory in the Ludhiana district before he was admitted to Rajindra hospital. The patient was referred to Rajindra Hospital wherein he was tested positive for Chikungunya.

Dr Gagan said,”After the confirmation of the disease, the health officials in Ludhiana surveyed his house and found mosquito breeding therein.” He added that teams had destroyed the larvae in his house. Officials would also visit the factory where he was working, said Gagan.

Disclosing the measures Gagan said, “We have recently held a meeting over dengue and Chikungunya. The allied departments have already been asked to carry out fogging. Besides, several appeals have been made to the people, during the Dry Friday Campaign, to drain out water from discarded containers – at least once a week.’