NVBDCP warns about possible Chikungunya outbreak: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 8 (UNI) Kerala Health Minister P K Sreemathy today informed the State Assembly that the government had received a warning that there was a chance of an outbreak of Chikungunya again in the state.

In a written reply to Mr K C Joseph (Cong), she said the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), a central agency, in its report had warned of a possible outbreak of Chikungunya in the Northern districts of the state.

She said on the basis of the warning and findings, the government has prepared an action plan as a precautionary measure.

Ms Sreemathy said that 7,340 suspected chikungunya cases and 36 confirmed cases were reported till June this year in the state.

Besides this, 123 dengue, 351 rat fever and 902,351 viral fever cases were also reported during the same period.

Though one death due to Dengue and 29 rate fever deaths were reported this year, no Chikungunya deaths were reported, she added.

To another question, she said one child each in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Malappuram died with symptom of Diphtheria.

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