For the last few days, we have talked abut dengue fever in India. Now, the Indian mosquitoes seem to have realized that dengue is not enough. So, they are attacking with another disease called chikungunya. Since, this disease is mainly limited to the state of Kerala, it has failed to attract attention in the media. This is the age of media and everyone wants attention. May be that is why, the mosquitoes that cause chikungunya disease have become desperate and so far 96 persona have died in Kerala from this disease in the recent weeks.
Khaleej Times has reported:
“A total of 96 people have died of the mosquito-bourne Chikungunya disease in India’s southern Kerala state, news reports said on Sunday. Five more deaths were reported on Saturday from the worst-hit Alappuzha district, a prime tourism destination for its backwaters,
the Hindustan Times newspaper reported.
‘Chikungunya has come back to Kerala after 30 years,’ PA Joshi, director of the National Vector Control Programme, was quoted as saying. The outbreak of the viral disease was first detected in the state in July.
More than 100,000 people were reported to have been affected in Kerala, most of them in Alappuzha district, federal Health Ministry officials said.”
I wish that Indian health ministry now becomes more cautious and does not let the situation go out of control. Well, the problem is that Indian government only wants to find a temporary solution. So, may be after 1 month, the situation will improve and everyone will forget about it. Indian government should allocate more funds for research about the mosquito borne diseases.
my relatives are in coimbatore and recently(dec 20,2006) being affected by chickungunya . It looks like it still hasn’t been controlled in coimbatore. They are suffering very badly. its been 2 weeks,since they were admitted in hospital.more than a week in Intensive care unit.
various symptoms are seen. including adhoc memory loss.
hope its controlled soon, before it comes another round..
Posted by: jambu | January 1, 2007 2:29 AM | Permalink to Comment