15,000 Chikungunya cases reported in Gujarat

In the aftermath of flooding, Gujarat is facing an epidemic outbreak with 40,000 viral fever cases being reported.

Soon after the rains receded, Gujarat is facing an epidemic outbreak with about 40,000 viral fever cases being reported in Ahmedabad city alone in the past five days.

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Of these 15,000 cases were of Chikun Gunia, spread by AedesAegypti mosquito.

"Though it is difficult to give an exact figure, about 2,000 to 5,000 cases of viral fever are being reported every day, in various city hospitals," said Dr S P Kulkarni, Medical officer, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

Following the outbreak, the government has opened a 40 Employee State Insurance Services (ESIS) Centres in the city to treat people suffering from the disease.

Apart from the existing hospitals 43 urban health centres have been opened and 67 doctors put on field work, he said.

Most of the cases have been reported from the old city zone - Dariapur, Raikhad and parts of Khokra.

Few people in Satellite and Vastrapur are also reportedly suffering from viral infections.

The AMC has constituted several endomologist teams to assess the situation and fogging machines have been sent to the sensitive areas to tackle the mosquito menace.