Chikungunya controlled in MP, claims Govt

Bhopal, July 19 (UNI) The government today told the Madhya Pradesh Assembly that chikungunya disease affecting several thousand people in Betul, Chhindwara, Barwani and Burhanpur districts had been controlled.

Replying to a calling attention notice on the issue Health Minister Ajay Bishnoi said the government had taken prompt action immediately after the first case was reported from a village in Betul district on May 31 Sufficient medicines and medical personnel were available in all districts, he said denying the opposition claims of lack of it.

Mr Bishnoi said no deaths due to chikungunya had been reported so far though few villagers died due to other diseases.

Dissatisfied with the minister's reply, opposition members, led by Opposition leader Jamuna Devi, staged a walkout at the conclusion of the debate on the notice, given by Dr I M P Verma, Dr Govind Singh, Mrs Saroj Bachhan Nayak and Dr Sunilam.

Denying the opposition claim that lakhs of people were affected by chikungunya disease, Mr Bishnoi said 43,654 people were found to be affected by the virus spread by mosquitos. Along with providing medical treatment to the affected, preventive measures had been taken to prevent spread of the disease by killing mosquito larvae.

''There was no delay in sending medical personnel or purchasing disinfectants,'' Mr Bishnoi claimed and rejected the opposition demand to take action against senior Malaria Eradication department officials. Seven doctors had been suspended for not reporting for duty in chikungunya affected areas, he said.

Dr Sunilam (Samajwadi Party) contended at least 7 people, including freedom fighter Laxman Singh, died due to the viral disease in Betul district.

UNI SP LS RN1556