Kerala - Kochi   

‘Mutant variety caused alarm’

KOCHI: This year’s chikungunya outbreak that flummoxed the medical community was the result of the mutant variety of the virus, said E. Sreekumar, Senior Scientist, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram.

At a workshop on “Emerging fevers with focus on chikungunya” organised by the Department of Health and National Rural Health Mission here on Friday, Dr. Sreekumar said the fever showed unusual severity and rapid spread.

The various samples that were collected from a number of places indicated a change in the virus’ genetic make up that was perhaps the reason for the disease to spread to the hilly areas this time where the mosquito species of Aedes albopictus was its preferred vector to reach the human body.

The 2006 outbreak was limited to the coastal region with Aedes aegypti being the vector mosquito. He said more studies were required to find out whether the virus would affect long-time immunity and had an animal reservoir. Regarding the future outbreak, the virus could undergo change again, he said.

B.N. Tandale, senior research officer, National Institute of Virology, Pune, spoke about the NIV experience.

S.A. Hafis, expert on International Health Policies and Health Sector Reforms, spoke about the Cuban experience in controlling health hazards spending very little compared to the U.S.

B. Ekbal, former Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University, said the State could do better by integrating the activities and knowledge from the existing health services, medical colleges and research institutions in controlling diseases.

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