Minister denies Chikungunya deaths

Hyderabad, Apr 11 (UNI) Denying reports in a section of the press that three persons had died due to Chikungunya in Andhra Pradesh, Health Minister K Rosaih today allayed fears that the viral disease was life threatening.

So far 25,734 cases of fever with joint pains associated with the disease were reported from the districts, he told newspersons here.

Turning down TDP Legislature Party Deputy Leader N Janardhan Reddy's demand for his resignation, Mr Rosaiah said the state Government was fully geared up to tackle the viral disease.

A Central team was visiting the affected districts. Based on its report to be submitted tomorrow, additional preventive and curative measures would be taken, he added.

He appealed to the media not not create panic through such reports especially at a time when the bird flu-hit poultry Industry was in deep trouble as people were having a false impression that the disease was caused due to consumption of chicken.

He said on inquiry, it was found that a 12-year-old boy had died of meningitis and a 55-year-old man due to renal failure. The death of the third person in a private hospital could not not be ascertained as no no autopsy was done, he informed.

As many as 4515 posters on Chikungunya and 2315 posters on Dengue fever were distributed in each of the five districts to create public awareness, he added.

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