With number of chikungunya cases on the rise in the national Capital, the situation could get worse and acquire shape of an epidemic outbreak with the latest spell of rain leading to mosquito breeding, according to some doctors.
Delhiites are advised to follow mosquito breeding preventive measures. “More the moist and humid temperature is, more the danger will pertain. The damp and moist conditions in the environment activate the virus and water logging is a reason for the vector diseases,” said a doctor.
Health experts have appealed to people not to panic.
They said this year virus of chikungunya is more active but there is nothing to panic as it is not a life threatening disease like dengue.
The AIIMS laboratory and other Government hospitals are receiving 50 per cent of the positive sample of chikungunya cases when compared with dengue cases. An AIIMS doctor said, “From July 1to August 10, we tested about 300 blood samples in our labs, of which at least 200 were found positive for chikungunya.”
The Delhi Municipal Corporation has reported only 20 cases of chikungunya till August 20.
Dr lalit Dar, Professor of Microbiology at AIIMS told The Pioneer, “This year chikungunya virus is circulating more. AIIMS laboratory has reported more than 50 per cent of cases. Dengue is less this time. Over the years, it has also been seen that once chikungunya traces occurs in large numbers, dengue virus starts to decrease,” said Dr Dar.
There is nothing to panic as chikungunya is not a life threatening disease like dengue, he said.
Dr RK Singal, Director Internal Medicine at BlK Hospital said, “Definitely, rain would add breeding sites for the ades mosquito. The coming days are likely to worsen as viruses get active after rain.”
About 1/3rd of the daily patients in the OPD are chikungunya suspected complaining prolong joint pain, Dr Singal said.
A senior doctor criticised the State Government and Municipal Corporation's work for failing to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.
Till Wednesday, RMl hospital had received 161 positive chikungunya and 73 dengue cases, said Dr A K Gadpayle, Director at RMl hospital.
Municipal data on dengue said 311 people have been affected by dengue till August 20 and the disease has claimed two lives. Previously, chikungunya outbreak was reported in 2006 in Delhi.