Chikungunya cases on the rise in Ahmedabad

There has been a steep rise in vector-borne diseases in Ahmedabad recently. After a confirmed case of Zika in Ahmedabad, the city has witnessed a rise in the number of Chikungunya cases. In the last week of November, 15 confirmed Chikungunya cases were reported, stated the weekly health bulletin issued by the health department.

It is to be noted that Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue and Yellow fever are caused by Aedes Aegypti vector. In November 2018, 31 cases of Chikungunya were reported against 29 cases in 2017. A total of 201 dengue cases in November 2018 were reported while in 2017, the total cases were 169. This is strange as the rise in cases has been seen in winter months. Generally, such rise has been witnessed in the post-monsoon period. Incidentally, this year, there were very few rainy days. However, there has been a drop in malaria and falciparum cases November compared to 2017. Total malaria cases reported this year in November was 151, while in November last year, 515 cases were reported.

In waterborne diseases, the city has witnessed 408 cases of gastroenteritis, 203 cases of jaundice, 302 cases of typhoid and two cases of cholera. The Rasranjan manufacturing unit which was sealed last week owing to compromised hygiene in the kitchen is still shut and the AMC has not yet imposed any fine on the unit.