Three Chikungunya cases confirmed in Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 7 (UNI) With three Chikungunya cases being confirmed by the Indian Council of Medical Research's city-based virus unit today, the vector-borne disease has been detected here after 44 years.

All the cases detected were from Beliaghata locality and central Kolkata, health department sources said. At least at least 31 cases have been confirmed in Habra in North 24 Parganas.

Blood samples of the affected people from Habra were sent for confirmatory tests, of which 26 were positive.

State health department sources said a mysterious fever had been reported in Habra over the past few days. The first case was reported on July 20 and till today, a total of 410 people have been affected in the region.

The disease is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Symptoms of the disease include high fever, muscle pain and headache.

Mosquito control still remains the main activity to control the outbreak.

Last year, a discussion was held between the WHO and Union health ministry officials in Delhi on the re-emergence of Chikungunya in India. It was found that several states had come under its grip after a gap of almost three decades. But West Bengal was not on the list. With the case reported in February in Kolkata and the fresh cases, the state would certainly need some attention.

About 200 people died of Chikungunya when it last hit the city in 1963.

UNI