The Hindu : Front Page : Outbreak of chikungunya suspected in some parts of Rameswaram

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Wednesday, Aug 05, 2009
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Outbreak of chikungunya suspected in some parts of Rameswaram

Special Correspondent

RAMANATHAPURAM: Outbreak of chikungunya has been reported in some parts of Rameswaram.

A team of entomologists, who visited the island a few days ago and collected blood samples from affected persons, has also confirmed the outbreak.

V. Uma Maheswarai, Deputy Director, Health, Ramanathapuram, told ‘The Hindu’ on Tuesday that as many as 55 patients were screened to find out the cause and types of fever. Most of them tested positive for chikungunya. One patient tested positive for dengue fever.

One was affected with malaria.

Enormous breeding of mosquitoes in and around Natarajapuram area was said to be the main cause for the outbreak of chikungunya and other diseases.

Based on the directive of the Collector T.N. Hariharan, fogging and spraying were done with the support of the Rameswaram Municipality.

A team of doctors and health officials had been asked to closely monitor the affected areas and patients. The diseases had been brought under control.

There were reports that patients were improving, officials said. Fogging would be undertaken in nearby localities, including Verkodu and other fishermen hamlets also, in order to prevent the spread of diseases. Health officials had been directed to take preventive steps in all vulnerable areas.

The Deputy Director said that the mosquitoes, which were causing chikungunya disease, multiplied in pure water kept in the open for several days.

Those storing water for many days should properly close the vessels and should not provide any opportunity for breeding of mosquitoes.

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