Toll rises due to Chikungunya

Mangalore, June 24 (UNI) With one more death today, the toll due to epidemic Chikungunya had risen to five in Sullya taluk and 26 in Daxina Kannada.

A 45-year old Aboobbakar from Adka village near Ajjavara in Sullya who was suffering from severe fever and joint pain since last few days, the main symptom of Chikungunya died today.

Yesterday four persons including two women died of suspected epidemic in Sullya taluk -one each in Adyadka, Bellare, Sampaje (in the border of Madikeri-Sullya) and Gundadka.

On the other hand, District Health Officer Jagannath had maintained that no death in the district had been confirmed due to chikungunya.

The blood samples of 13 victims had been sent for testing. The results were yet to be received. Normally Chikungunya would cause no death except for joint pain for some time, he said.

Despite the assumption that the disease would come under control once monsoon starts, the disease had further spread in three taluks of Sullya, Belthangady and Puttur and in some areas of Bantwal and neighbouring Kasargod in Kerala even after the onset of monsoon in the district.

Meanwhile, rat fever was also reported in some areas of Sullya. A person died yesterday due to severe fever in a private hospital. The doctor had suspected that the death was due to rat fever.

UNI MA SIV SKB1916