Hyderabad: Nine cases of chikungunya have been reported in the city, showing that a lot needs to be done to curb the mosquito menace.
In August, eight cases of the disease, which causes immense pain that lasts a lifetime, were recorded.
A senior health official said there may have been more cases which did not reach the health centres. “A major outbreak of chikungunya was recorded in 2006 and we have to study whether it is following the same pattern after a decade,” he said.
A close watch would be kept on the cases in September which would help strategise the response system for the winter when the cases are found to increase, he said.
Dr Ajay Shah, a senior general physician, said diagnosing chikungunya requires distinguishing it from dengue as both diseases are caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
“Dengue is ruled out if the platelet count is in control. The treatment for chikungunya is symptomatic and medicines and rest are advised. Patients are asked to take a lot of water,” he said.
Chikungunya is found to affect those who are immune-compromised like children and senior citizens. Municipal bodies must not allow water stagnation by asking people to keep surroundings clean.
