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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

India : With 41 cases, Chikungunya on a new high

Via Hindustan Times, a report from New Delhi :

" With the city reporting eight new cases of chikungunya, and 41 cases in all this season, the mosquito borne infection seems to be on a constant rise. Last year, there were only five chikungunya cases during the corresponding period. Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

While the infection was initially restricted to Palam village, it is now being detected in other parts of the city as well, which is not a very healthy sign," said Dr VK Monga, chairman, public health committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

"So far, the highest number of cases of chikungunya has been reported from Najafgarh, which is a worrisome trend. We are awaiting the results of two more suspected chikungunya cases," he said.

Symptoms of chikungunya include fever, debilitating arthralgia (joint pain), swelling of joints, stiffness, myalgia (muscular pain), headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and rashes.

According to health experts, the incubation period (time from infection to illness) for chikungunya can be 2-12 days, but is usually 3-7 days."

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