While everybody is concerned over the rise of dengue cases this year, city doctors said it’s the chikungunya virus which is a major cause of concern.
Doctors at AIIMS have reported an increase in positive samples of chikungunya. According to them, this year chikungunya virus is more active but there is nothing to panic as it is not a life-threatening disease like dengue.
Dr lalit Dar, Professor of Microbiology at AIIMS told The Pioneer, “Currently, there is no such condition for dengue epidemic like last year. However, this year chikungunya virus is circulating more. It has also been seen that once chikungunya traces occurs in large numbers, dengue virus starts to decrease,” said Dr Dar.
Dr Dar said during chikungunya a patient only suffers from fever, rashes and prolonged joint pain without any major health complication. “Preventive measures are same for the both the vector diseases by not letting the mosquito-genic conditions around their houses.”
Confirming the cases of chikungunya, Dr SP Byotra, Chairman Internal Medicine at Sir Gangaram Hospital said, “I have witnessed at least three cases of chikungunya fever so far. Dengue
susceptible patients with low platelet count are also being reported.”
Meanwhile, Dr RK Singal, Director Internal Medicine at BlK Hospital said patients with suspected chikungunya fever system are visiting the OPDs. Also, about 25-30 cases of viral fever are noticed each day.
Dr Damanjit Chaddha, Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, said suspected cases of chikungunya fever among patients are seen and strangely this year, patients are coming with the cases of chickenpox too.