Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Preventive steps taken to check chikun gunya

P. Sujatha Varma

Blood serum samples sent to Hyderabad, says Health Officer

VIJAYAWADA : Absence of a malaria parasite in the 350 blood smears sent for examination by the medical and health department in Krishna district did not come as a relief. It is because it deepens the suspicion that these could be the dreaded chikun gunya cases.

"We have collected 25 samples of blood serum and sent them to the Vector-Borne Research Institute in Hyderabad to identify the virus, if any. It spreads by the insect bite of adesaegypti mosquito," says District Medical and Health Officer A. Ramprasad.

After detecting cases of chikun gunya in Anantapur, Kurnool and Kadapa districts in Rayalaseema region, the State Government has issued a set of prevention and control measures to avoid spread of the virus in other areas. Explaining about the symptoms, Dr. Ramprasad says the person afflicted by the virus suffers from fever, which continues for three or four days. Severe body pains, headache and nausea are other symptoms.

Misconception

Seeking to remove misconception that the disease is caused due to consumption of chicken, he says the adesaegypti mosquito is a day-breeder and bites only during daytime. The disease does not cause death. "It may take 10 to 15 more days to get the report before we come to a conclusion," he says.

Chikun gunya virus was first detected in Tanzania during 1952-53. There was an outbreak of this disease in Kolkata in 1954-55 and in 1955, in Madras. Since then, there are no reports of this virus in the last 40 years.

He says the department has taken up anti-larval and anti-mosquito measures by spraying baytex and malathion.

Preventive measures

Explaining the preventive and control measures, he underscores the need for an active community involvement. People should keep water storage containers, air-coolers and overhead tanks free from breeding of mosquitoes. They should eliminate breeding places of mosquitoes in and around residential houses. Efforts are on to kill the larva and adult mosquitoes spreading the virus. In addition, paramedical staff is undertaking Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities by going door-to-door to educate people about the disease and its prevention. "There is no vaccine for this disease. People need to be cautious to avoid being afflicted by the virus," says Dr. Ramprasad.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Water tanks in Krishna district to be filled by April 25
A hanging garden at home
Meerut tragedy comes as a wake-up call
VGTM-UDA to finalise 15 master plans by month-end
Preventive steps taken to check chikun gunya
West Krishna to get lion's share of LI schemes
Karunya rage grips teens
Water meters only after augmented supply, says MP
Medicos to boycott emergency services from Wednesday
Woman found dead under mysterious cirumstances
Concern over urban reforms
Around The City
In Vijayawada Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu