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ShareThe disease is known to be common around mid-April
MUMBAI: After the cold wave-induced respiratory infections, it's chickenpox now in Mumbai. Hard to believe, but doctors say the disease is not restricted to the summer anymore.
"It started about two weeks ago. Chickenpox is quite unusual for this time of the year, as earlier it used to hit the city towards mid-April," said Dr Vasant Nagvekar, general practitioner and consulting physician at Lilavati Hospital.
"I have been diagnosing five to six fresh cases of chickenpox daily," said paediatrician Dr Sharad Menon who runs Sheetal Children's Hospital. "This may be due to the fact that my area of practice, Kurla, is highly congested and has a huge number of children. Also many of the kids are not vaccinated against chickenpox, as it is costly," he said.
Susan Abraham first noticed rashes on her six-year-old daughter Vinisha's hand a week ago. "I found out that several students in her class have got chickenpox. The doctor has advised at least a fortnight's rest," said Abraham.
Even adults haven't been spared the highly contagious disease, which spreads through direct contact or breathing in germs from someone's cough or sneeze. "I am currently treating four adult patients from the Goregaon and Bandra area," said Dr Nagvekar.
While doctors agree that chickenpox is on the rise, there is no need to be alarmed, they add. "A lot of diseases like measles, jaundice and chickenpox which were earlier seasonal now manifest themselves throughout the year," said Dr Menon.
The awareness about the chickenpox vaccine has played an important role in bringing the disease under control. The Varicella vaccine, at over Rs1,500, is an expensive but highly effective precaution. "It is a single shot given when the child is one year old and it gives lifelong immunity," said Chembur general practitioner Dr PV Vaidyanathan.
The result is that the number of cases remains within manageable limits. "Earlier when chickenpox struck in an area there would be over 50 cases in a fortnight. But now that figure has come down to just ten to 12 cases. There is no difference in the viral strain," Dr Vaidyanathan said.
