Asia-Pacific Daily Report

Indian officials have reported a chikungunya outbreak in southern Tamil Nadu state, The Hindu newspaper reported. The outbreak was reported in some parts of Rameswaram town in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. Rameswaram is located on an island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is less than 25 miles (40 km) from Sri Lanka's northern Jaffna Peninsula. Rameswaram is considered to be one of the holiest places in India to Hindus, and a busy pilgrimage center. According to The Hindu, a team of entomologists visited the island earlier this week, collected blood samples from affected persons and confirmed the outbreak. According to The Hindu, V. Uma Maheswarai, Deputy Director, Health, Ramanathapuram, said Tuesday (August 4) that up to 55 patients were screened to find out the cause and types of fever. Most tested positive for chikungunya, while one patient tested positive for dengue fever and another was found to be affected with malaria. According to the Hindu, the breeding of mosquitoes in and around the Natarajapuram area was said to be the main cause for the outbreak. Maheswarai said that the mosquitoes were multiplying in water kept in the open for several days. Health officials advise that those storing water for many days should properly close the vessels in order to not provide any opportunity for mosquitoes to breed. Health officials have reportedly been directed to take preventive steps in vulnerable areas and fogging and spraying have been carried out. 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.

Source:

· http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/05/stories/2009080561650100.htm

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