Malegaon fever self-limiting: Health Secy

Mumbai, Mar 16 (UNI) The fever which has gripped Malegaon city on Mumbai-Agra national highway for several days was today described as '' self-limiting viral disease'' by Maharashtra Principal Secretary (health) Dr V S Singh.

Known as 'chicken gunia,' the bod yache-causing fever lasts three to four days but can be controlled by analgesic and anti-piuratic drugs, Dr Singh told UNI, adding the two to three samples have so far tested positive at Pune's National Institute of Virology. He said 750 samples had tested negative for malaria.

Dr Singh said of those admitted for treatment of the fever in various hospitals at Malegaon, 750 patients had been discharged and only 68 patients were under treatment till yesterday.

A report from Nashik, however, said more than 2,000 people had been affected by the fever and at least 500 were still under treatment at Malegaon's two municipal and one government hospitals.

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