Mysterious fever in AP Dist

Tirupati, Apr 10 (UNI) Even as medical experts and scientists deputed by the Centre have identified the mysterious fever affecting people in and around the Chittoor District as 'Chikun Gunya,' district medical officials were still not forthcoming on the issue.

Accoring to unofficial rpt unofficial sources, nearly ten persons had died of 'Chikun Gunya,' which caused fever and joint pains.

However, District Medcial and Health Officer D Ramakrishna Reddy denied the reports and said the deaths occurred due to other diseases As many as 1,500 people in 48 village in the district have been affected by the disease since the first case was reported in January this year.

It was found to be rampant in Rayalaseema Region, particularly in Ananthapur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts.

A five-member expert medical research team from the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Communicable Diseases, which visited the affected areas in the temple town yesterday, confirmed that 'Chikun Hunya' had affected nearly 50 per cent of the residents.

The team which also visited the Government Ruia Hospital found the disease, caused by the female mosquito, had affected 20 per cent of the children and 60 per cent of the adults.

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