The Hindu : Front Page : Steps initiated to prevent spread of chikungunya from Kerala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007
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Steps initiated to prevent spread of chikungunya from Kerala

S. Vijay Kumar and S. Vydhianathan

Karunanidhi orders appointment of 3,850 field workers to eradicate mosquito menace

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday issued orders for appointing 3,850 temporary field workers to eradicate mosquito menace and sanctioned Rs. 7.10 crore for undertaking the measures.

Reviewing measures being taken by the Government to prevent the spreading of chikungunya from Kerala with Health Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy, Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj and Health Department officials here, Mr. Karunanidhi directed them to publicise the need for taking preventive measures and stocking sufficient medicines in hospitals as a precautionary measure.

The Centre for Research in Medical Entomology, a laboratory of the Indian Council of Medical Research in Madurai, is investigating samples of mosquitoes that are spreading the chikungunya virus in Kerala.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and our scientists are working with health officials in affected areas. The possibility of the epidemic crossing borders is very high considering the mobility of people between the States," CRME Director (In-charge) B.K. Tyagi told The Hindu .

Under the directions of ICMR Director-General N.K. Ganguly, scientists from the CRME and National Institute of Malaria Research are camping in Kerala since the last week of May, when the disease broke out.

"We have observed that cases are being reported more from the rural pockets. Since the mosquito is a `day biter,' workers of occupational sites such as rubber and pineapple plantations are the worst hit. Scientific methods are being applied to prevent the spread of the virus by controlling the breeding of mosquitoes transmitting chikungunya."

Health officials in Kerala had been advised to adopt effective Information Education and Communication packages to create awareness among people of the methods to control mosquito breeding and use of repellents.

People's cooperation and participation in controlling the menace was vital.

"Our teams have collected mosquito samples from Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta, where the virus is active. The CRME will soon ascertain the profile of the mosquito and source of the virus. The fever is still prevalent and the nature of joint pains among the affected persons will become apparent after a few days. When chikungunya struck Tamil Nadu last year, the origin of the virus was found to be Central East Africa," Dr. Tyagi said.

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