Decline in Chikungunya cases in Karnataka

After threatening to swamp Karnataka, the epidemic of Chikungunya is finally on the wane, much to the relief of the health officials in the State.

With the number of Chikungunya cases crossing 750,000 a month ago, the health officials appeared worried over the fast spread of the disease, which is caused by mosquito bite.

But, during the last one month, the number of cases has declined. “The number of fresh cases being reported dipped to 1,000 a week since the last three weeks from a staggering 25,000 per week till early September”, said joint Director of Malaria and Philaria, Government of Karnataka, Dr H C Ramesh.

Chikungunya, which began showing up early this year with victims complaining of fever, pain in the bones and swelling in the legs, had peaked during June, July and August this year. Karnataka accounted for almost half the total cases of Chikungunya in the entire country.

But, a massive environmental sanitation programme involving fogging taken up throughout the State had helped the authorities contain the spread of the disease. Karnataka’s Minister for Health R Ashok told reporters that each gram panchayat, spread across two to three villages, will be provided with one fogging machine to control vector-borne diseases.

So, far the Government had released a total of Rs 58 million for purchase of fogging machines in the State, he said.