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Three test positive for Chikungunya viral fever

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

A large number of people have been infected in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala

NEW DELHI: Three persons in the Capital have tested positive for Chikungunya viral fever that has resurfaced in the country after a gap of over three decades and has infected a large number of people in Maharashtra, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by carrier mosquitoes.

Three of the six blood samples submitted and tested by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) here have reportedly tested positive for Chikungunya fever. Two of the three samples that tested positive were referred to NICD by Apollo Hospital. The results of 30 other samples sent by various health centres in the city are awaited. "Three of the six samples, two males and one female, submitted to us in August have tested positive. These patients had been to Andhra recently,'' said NICD Director Dr. Shiv Lal.

"We had cases of what appeared to be patients with Chikungunya fever coming in for treatment and samples of the same were dispatched to NICD. Chikungunya fever is a rare form of viral disease characterised by fever, joint pains and is spread by Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. Chikungunya is characterised by high fever (101F-104F), headache, and vomiting and joint pains in the wrist, knees and ankles. Swollen and painful joints are characteristic of this disease. After an incubation period of 3-12 days there is a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms. A rash may sometimes occur. Haemorrhage is rare and all but a few patients recover within 3-5 days. Some can suffer from joint pain for months. Children may display neurological symptoms,'' said Heart Care Foundation of India president, Dr. K. K. Aggarwal.

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