'Chicken gunia' fever in 209 villages

Mumbai, Apr 4 (UNI) The Maharashtra government today told the Legislative Assembly that the ''chicken gunia'' a disease similar to dengue fevere has spread to 209 villages in the state infecting 31,000 patients.

Making a brief statement in response to concerns raised by members on the fever which had caused panic in rural areas, Health Minister Dr Vimal Mundada said the disease spread by mosquitoes, did not result in death.

The rumours about the fever were spread by private doctors, she informed.

''Steroids are not the solution to the fever. Teams from National Institute of Virology (NIV) and other central agencies are in the affected areas to monitor the situation,'' she said.

Dr Mundada informed that one round of fogging had been completed.

UNI MR SSS LR KP1838