Pune recorded 92% of the state’s chikungunya cases and ranks second in terms of dengue incidences in Maharashtra. The latest report of the state health department brought the alarming figures to the fore. Dengue and chikungunya are both transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
The overall tally shows that dengue cases have almost doubled this year. But what strikes most is the 13-fold increase in chikungunya cases in the first nine months of this year compared to the corresponding period last year.
The state has recorded a total of 439 cases of chikungunya between January and August this year as against only 35 in the same period last year. The last year’s chikungunya case tally surged from September onwards with a total of 207 cases registered till December-end. The state health department’s latest report, which considers only the data of government-designated testing and sentinel centres for dengue and chikungunya, revealed this.
Going by the current surge in cases, this year’s chikungunya case tally is likely to surpass the 2011’s 467 cases.
The state has reported a total of 2,572 dengue cases between January and August this year as against 1,378 recorded during the corresponding period last year.
The state’s health department has blamed the prevailing weather conditions for the spurt in the mosquito-borne diseases. “The drizzle and showers witnessed towards the end of August resulted in water accumulation, creating conducive breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti – the mosquito that causes dengue and chikungunya. The low fatality rate of dengue indicates better surveillance and timely diagnosis and treatment,” said Kanchan Jagtap, the joint director of the state health department.
Inputs:TNN
