Admn to check suspected Chikungunya outbreak in Karaikal

Puducherry, Oct 28 (UNI) The Puducherry administration has taken all steps to check the sudden increase in suspected Chikungunya cases in Karaikal region of the Union Territory.

According to a release from the office of the Health Minister E Valsaraj, four medical teams had visited the region and carried out house-to-house survey to identify the fever cases. Patients were provided treatment and blood samples were taken for lab tests, on October 25.

Of the 1,034 persons surveyed in Karaikal Medu, 207 were found to be suffering from fever. Five medical teams covered the remaining 4,567 population on October 26, and 100 were found suffering from fever.

Field workers and Filaria inspectors carried out special anti-larval measures by spraying larvicide Baytax in the PHC areas.

Entomological survey was also carried out and no increase of Aedes mosquito, nor source positive for larva was noticed.

As many as 1,539 fever cases were reported from Kalapet in Puducherry region from October 18 to 25, and 40 suspected Chikungunya cases were referred to the Government General Hospital for blood test. A medical team was also sent to Kalapet and 70 blood samples taken.

The situation is being monitored and surveillance activities are carried out by the health department, the release added.

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