Date:19/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/19/stories/2006051913770100.htm

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Outbreak of mysterious disease suspected

C. Jaishankar

Precautionary measures have been taken in the affected villages

Ramanathapuram: The outbreak of suspected `Chikun Chunya' disease, a kind of dangerous viral fever, has been reported in at least two places in the district, where more than 650 people, mostly adults, have been affected. Health Department officials claim that this disease has never been detected in the State. The disease is noticed at S.P. Pattinam and Thondi near here. S.P. Pattinam is the worst affected area, where almost all families have been affected by this mysterious ailment. Nearly 600 villagers have been treated at the Primary Health Centre and nearby hospitals.

Most of the patients complain of high temperature with acute pain on all joints of the body. They say that cannot walk or move.

Following severity of the disease, health officials led by C. Velayudham, Deputy Director, Health, and Vector Borne Disease Control team led by M. Kathiresan, District Entomologist, have camped at two areas to control the disease. Similarly, Chief Entomologists of the State, Murugesan, and officials from malaria control programme and zonal entomologists from Virudhunagar visited the areas. Medical officers from Madurai Medical College visited the affected areas. They conducted on-the-spot tests. Some of the serums have been sent to Institute of Vector Control & Zoonoses at Hosur.

Out of 600-recorded serum of patients, only eight tested positive for dengue fever. One patient was affected by malaria fever. But, the officers could not find out the nature of ailments of others, as they tested negative for other known vector borne diseases.

"It is really a peculiar case. Based on symptoms and available information in the medical field, it could be Chikun Chunya case. However, we have decided to send the serums to the National Institute of Virology at Pune to find out the exact nature of ailment. We have effectively brought the situation under control," said C. Velayudham, DD, Health, Ramanathapuram. Precautionary measures had been taken in houses and streets in the affected villages, he added.

He said the disease might have been transmitted through `Aedes Mosquitoes.'Officials said similar cases are reported simultaneously in Vellore, Thiruvannamalai and some other districts. Though African originated Chikun Chunya disease was reported in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, this is the first time that a similar disease has been reported in the State.