Karnataka village affected by chikungunya

Mysore, June 12 (UNI) Hundreds of people were suffering from suspected Chikungunya disease at Pushapagiri in Belavatha village near here.

The village has a population of 7,000, of which 1,000 were suffering from severe joint pain, fever, shivering and giddiness, which are clear symptoms of the chikungunya.

Dr Sunitha of Ayurvedic hospital told reporters she had been visiting the houses since a week administering preventive and curative medicines to the affected. ''We have collected about 150 blood smears and sent them for testing in a laboratory in Bangalore,'' she said.

The area had a water tank which hardly received water twice in a month. The stagnant water breeds mosquitoes. The residents alleged the area was neglected and no corporation official visited the place. Even the Gram Panchyat members were also affected by the virus.

Meanwhile, Taluk Health Officer Dr K H Prasad confirmed the suspected cases. However, the surveillance was continuing in the affected areas.

Deputy commissioner S Selva Kumar said the district authorities would take all precautionary measures in such areas and necessary medicines would also be supplied.

UNI