The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Corporation drive to control chikungunya

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 21, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Corporation drive to control chikungunya

Staff Reporter

Vector control measures undertaken

CHENNAI : It appears that Chikungunya has reared its ugly head in parts of the city as at least 78 people in north Chennai are believed to suffer from the disease. The affected persons have been referred to the Communicable Diseases Hospital in Tondiarpet for treatment, said a Chennai Corporation health official.

As part of confidence building measures, the health department officials distributed pamphlets and organised medical camps at V.O.C. Nagar and Jeeva Nagar in Korukkupet (under Zone 1) on Sunday. Five thermo fog machines and 10 van fog machines were also used for vector control measures.

Chikungunya is caused by Aedes Aegypti, a mosquito breeding in fresh water which bites during daytime. The mosquito also spreads the deadly dengue.

The symptoms of chikungunya are high fever and severe joint pain. The disease, which can be detected by a blood test, has no specific treatment. Health officials suggest avoiding stagnation of fresh water in flowerpots and containers to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.

The Health Department has proposed intensive vector control measures in all the 10 zones of the Corporation.

All Corporation health posts and government hospitals have been stocked with medicines, a health official said. Residents may contact the assistant health officers in their zones for more information.

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