Viral disease Chikungunya has made its presence felt in India's financial capital after the massive scare it gave Delhi and Pune residents. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has confirmed four cases of the vector-borne disease that were reported in the private sector in the past one week alone and notified to the civic body. There are 20 other probable cases of the disease in the city.
While three of the confirmed cases are from the Byculla area (E ward) of the city, one is from the Grant Road (D ward). Spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, fever, headache, rash and joint pains are some of the symptoms of chikungunya.
"Some of the patients have already been discharged and most were treated in the Out Patient Departments (OPDs) itself," said Dr Mini Khetrapal, in-charge of BMC's epidemiology department. "The mortaliity rate in the disease is very low. So far we have not seen any clustering of the cases," added Dr Khetrapal.
Between January 1 and August 31 this year Pune had recorded 393 cases of chikungunya, around 90% of the state's 439 cases.
"I see at least 2-3 cases of patients with fever and joint pain but it is not always chikungunya. I tell my patients to fumigate their rooms and use mosquito repellents as a precautionary measure, " said Dr Anil Ballani, general physician, Lilavati Hospital. ELISA test for chikungunya tests positive only after a week of fever.
Mumbai is already reeling under the effects of dengue with another 102 confirmed cases in the past one week. The number of probable dengue cases reported in the past one week is a whopping 1813.
Health officials believe that with the temperature changes expected in the next fortnight, the cases are unlikely to shoot up further.
About Chikungunya
Vector borne disease spread by Aedes Aegypti that also leads to the spread of dengue
Mosquito spreading chikungunya bite mostly during the day
Symptoms
Fever, headache, pain in the joints, rash
Treatment
Get plenty of rest
Drink ample liquids
Consult your doctor before taking additional medication
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Mosquito-born disease types")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}