Mystery fever in western India confirmed as chikungunya virus
India, Jul 31, 2009
A mystery fever that has been spreading in India's western state of Goa was recently identified as the chikungunya viral infection by the microbiology department of the Goa Medical College, the Times of India (TOI) reported on Saturday (July 25). An outbreak of chikungunya was confirmed after laboratory tests showed positive results for 15 out of 30 blood samples submitted for examination, Dr. Dipak Kabadi, deputy director of the national vector-borne diseases control program, told the TOI on Friday (July 24). The directorate of health services was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the 15 samples that tested negative, but Kabadi told the TOI that just having 15 out of 30 positive samples was enough to deem an outbreak of chikungunya. The mystery fever outbreak was initially reported in parts of the Sanguem taluka or town to the TOI on July 21. On July 24, three more patients were suspected to be infected with chikungunya and were admitted at the Cacora primary health center, bringing the total number of patients affected at the Cacora heatlh center to six. Meanwhile in the South Goa district, more than 100 mine workers have been infected with chikungunya virus, Health Minister Vishawajeet Rane said during the state assembly on Wednesday (July 29), the Indo-Asian News Service reported. Rane noted that the disease first surfaced in the mining belt of Quepem and Sanguem in January this year. In response to the growing outbreak, the directorate of health services is watching the situation, more staff has been sent to the affected areas, and health surveys have been distributed. Chikungunya is a viral illness transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, causing fever, rashes and aching joints, which are similar to the symptoms of dengue fever.
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