Chikungunya toll rises to 98

Alappuzha, Oct 8: Eight more people, including an infant, died of suspected Chikungunya in the Cherthala taluk here today, raising the death toll in the viral fever outbreak in the area to 98.

A Three-month-old boy, Arjun, of the Cherrtala municipality died of the suspected fever in a hospital in Kottayam.

While an 88-year-old woman Janaki of Pattanakadu panchayat passed away at home, Parameshwaran (70) of Muhamma panchayat succumbed to viral fever at a local hospital.

Earlier, five more suspected Chikungunya deaths were reported.

The victims included Thankamma (70) of Kuthiyathodu panchayat, Pareed (65) of Arookutty panchayat, Cherian (65) of Thykattussery panchayat and Radha (59) of Panavalli panchayat. They died of the suspected fever at their home this morning. Mahilamani (78) of Kanichikulangara panchayat died last night.

All the victims were suffering from high fever and other associated symptoms of Chikungunya, sources said.

UNI