First chikungunya case reported in two years in Punjab

Patiala, July 24

Punjab today reported its first case of chikungunya in almost two years. A 24-year-old factory worker from Ludhiana tested positive for the vector-borne disease at Government Rajindra Hospital here. The last case of chikungunya in the state was reported in 2019.

Health officials said the 24-year-old patient, currently undergoing treatment at the hospital, showed symptoms of the disease upon arrival. Dr Gagan Grover, state nodal officer, said the patient had been working at a factory in Ludhiana. He was referred to Rajindra hospital where he tested positive for chikungunya, he said.

“After confirmation of the disease, officials in Ludhiana surveyed his house and found mosquito breeding therein,” said Dr Grover. He added the teams destroyed the larvae and officials would now visit the factory where he worked.

He said: “We recently held a meeting over dengue and chikungunya. The allied departments have been asked to carry out fogging. Besides, during Dry Friday Campaign, people have been appealed to drain water from discarded containers at least once a week .” — TNS

Feeling the sting

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever, severe joint pain

Breeding spots

Mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya primarily breed in containers like earthenware jars, metal drums, concrete cisterns used to store water, discarded food containers, used tyres and other items that may collect rainwater

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