Chikungunya death toll rises to 10: Health Ministry seeks report from Delhi govt

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Delhi government after chikungunya complications claimed six lives in the national capital and affected over 1,000 people in the city. Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who held a meeting with officials concerned to review the dengue and chikungunya situation in the country including the national capital, also spoke to Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain and assured him of all support from the Centre. “We have sought a detailed report from Delhi government (regarding chikungunya deaths) as to what has been the co-morbidity in these death cases and its details. [caption id=“attachment_3004396” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] “There is no second opinion that death does not occur due to chikungunya and it does not become the cause of death. But still, we have sought a detailed report from the Delhi government. Whatever help and support is needed will be given,” Nadda told reporters. Chikungunya is taking its toll in Delhi and a few other cities across the country, with at least six deaths due to the vector-borne disease reported in the last two days in the national capital where the number of cases has crossed over 1,000. “I spoke to Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain before the review meeting and asked him if he had some requirements. He said that all facilities are available with them and they are working as per the protocols. “I have told him that if he has any requirement, he should tell us. He assured that there are adequate medicines, beds and testing facilities. I conveyed to him that whatever facilities is needed the Centre is ready to give. We will be working together. We want to address the issue by working in coordination,” Nadda said. According to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), around 12,255 cases of chikungunya have been reported across the country till 31 August. Karnataka alone has recorded 8,941, Maharashtra 839 and Andhra Pradesh 492. Nadda noted that there has been an “upsurge” of chikungunya cases in Delhi and a large number of fever cases have also been reported but asserted that there is no need to “panic” while stressing the need for taking symptomatic treatment. Nadda said dengue has also been reported in West Bengal, Odisha, Kerela and Karnataka while some cases of malaria have also been reported in West Bengal. He said the Centre has been sensitive about both the diseases since January and has been working in proper coordination with state governments. While eleven advisories have been issued to the states regarding protocols and methodology to be followed to tackle the diseases, three video conferences have also been done. “There has been no report or complaints of shortage of medicines, testing facilities or issues like doctors not following protocols from the entire country. Everything is in place. “There is no need to panic. With regards to chikungunya, there is need to take symptomatic treatment. Apart from medicines prescribed by the doctor, one should consume more and more liquid,” Nadda said. He also appealed to the people of the country including Delhi to focus on hygiene and sanitation and take steps to stop the breeding of mosquitoes in the localities. Doctors have said that chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease in general, but in rare cases leads to complications that prove fatal, especially in children and old persons. Out of the 1,057 total cases of chikungunya, this season in Delhi, 497 cases were reported in the last week, amounting to a rise of nearly 90 percent from its count by the civic body on 3 September. Out of the total cases this season till 10 September, 202 has been recorded in south Delhi, followed by 148 in north Delhi and 57 in east Delhi.