2,500 chikun gunia cases recorded in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Aug 25 (UNI) The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has recorded over 13,000 viral fever cases in the city of which total number of chikun gunia viral infection cases recorded in government run hospitals, dispensaries and mobile units is only 2,100, said Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Health) DB Makwana.

Mr Makwana told UNI here today that an additional 417 chikun gunia infection cases were reported from 39 private practitioners.

The authorities are vigilant and all preventive measures are being taken to bring the situation under control. ''Things will become normal in two to three days,''he said.

Forty fogging machines have also been pressed into service at various places in the city. Some of the worst affected areas where water-logging is still causing major problems are Vejalpur and Juhapura that have turned into excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Medical teams are also focusing in areas like Jamalpur, Gomtipur, Raikhad, Asarwa, Kubernagar and Maninagar which were also badly affected by heavy rains to monitor the breeding pattern of mosquitoes and take blood samples of patients in order to stop further spread of waterborne diseases.

The fogging machines basically serves as a psychological palliative as the Aedes Aegypti mosquito is a day-biter. It would be better if mosquito mats are used in the day, Mr Makwana said. Chikun gunia is a preventable disease and antibiotics and metacin help the patients to recover, he added.

UNI VNB PM VKG SY VV1540