After 3 years, chikungunya case reported in Ludhiana district

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 26

After cholera now dengue and chikungunya cases have started springing up in the city. During the last one week, five dengue cases and one chikungunya case have been detected. The chikungunya case has been detected in the district after three years.

Dr Ramesh, District Epidemiologist, said it was last in 2018 that cases of chikungunya were reported from Ludhiana.

The patient is from Ambedkar Nagar and the district Health Department has done surveys in and around his house. Spray was also done and breeding of mosquitoes was checked.

“People should not let water get stagnant in and around their houses and every Friday should be observed as ‘dry day’. Water from coolers, pots, etc, should be drained out and they should be filled afresh every week,” said Dr Ramesh.

Severe joint pain and swelling in the joints along with fever are the main symptoms of chikungunya, added Dr Ramesh.

Dr Ramesh said five cases of dengue have been reported from different localities till now. A mass media team of the Health Department is sensitising the people of different localities and making them aware of taking precautions. Awareness activities are being carried out regularly, especially in the huge risk areas, which include Haibowal Kalan, Jalandhar bypass, Dana Mandi, Tibba Road, Bahadur-ke Road, Dholewal, Jawahar Nagar Camp, Bus Stand, Rahin Road, Sherpur Chowk, Dugri, etc. As many as 248 cases of chikungunya were reported in 2016 and 11 in 2017.

Symptoms of the disease

• Chikungunya is a viral disease (genus alphavirus) which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, including aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus.
• Chikunguniya symptoms include high fever, severe joint pain, joint swellings, muscle pain, headache and rashes.