12,119 fresh Chikungunya cases reported in Bellary

Bellary, Karnataka, June 23 (UNI) As many as 12,119 fresh cases of Chikungunya have been reported from almost all seven taluks in this district, despite measures taken by the district health department to check the spread of the disease.

However, the actual figures would be high as the said numbers pertained only to those reported in the primary health centres (PHCs) and did not include those admitted to private nursing homes.

The disease, first traced in Siddammanahalli village in March last, had assumed alarming proportions in 159 villages in the district.

District Health Officer Dr R V Hanumaiah told UNI that the department was supplying adequate medicines to all 54 PHCs and taking all precautionary measures. The areas facing mosquito menace, even remote villages, were being fogged and the department had sufficient number of fogging machines. But, indoor fogging was not possible with the existing facilities and equipment.

He said the State Government had released Rs ten lakh to control the disease during March last, but more funds were required. The Zilla Panchayat had not released funds for the purpose, he added.

UNI XR GD TS1838