Chikungunya cases rising

After dengue, the Capital is seeing a rise in the number of chikungunya cases too.

After dengue, the Capital is seeing a rise in the number of chikungunya cases too.

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The city has reported 33 cases of the vector-borne disease so far this season, which is about three times higher than the total number of cases reported last year. Twelve cases of chikungunya were reported last year, and the number of cases were below 10 in the previous years.

Out of the 33 reported cases, only one person has travelled to Kerala, the rest have contracted the disease in Delhi. Eight of these 33 cases alone have come from the Najafgargh area of south-west Delhi, the rest have been reported from various parts of the city including south Delhi.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials fear local transmission of the disease has begun in the city.

"Earlier, only those people would test positive for the disease who travelled to South India. But this year, it is a clear indicator that the disease has spread locally and we need to be careful," said Dr VK Monga, chairman, public health committee, MCD.

The civic agency has prepared slides, which will be introduced in medical education and other awareness programmes conducted by it, to create awareness about the disease.

"At present not many are aware of the disease and like dengue, chikungunya serology tests are also available. We are planning to start an awareness programme about the disease, its symptoms, precautions and treatment," said a senior MCD official.