Karnataka

Creating awareness about chikungunya

MYSORE: The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has launched a drive to increase awareness about dengue fever and chikungunya.

It will distribute pamphlets containing information about the diseases. The emphasis of the drive, which has been launched in association with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, is on prevention by taking steps to ensure hygiene.

It has been pointed out that dengue fever and chikungunya are caused by the arbovirus that spreads through the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and that children, women and elderly people are prone to be affected.

Sudden onset of fever with chills, headache and muscular pain; retro-orbital pain; severe muscular and joint pain; bleeding from the mouth, nose or gums; and severe thirst have been listed as the symptoms at an advanced stage of the disease. High fever with joint or muscular pain has been given as the symptom of chikungunya. At an advanced stage, mental confusion, abdominal pain and vomiting with or without blood set in.

The MCC has suggested that water storage containers in houses be emptied, scrubbed, dried and filled with fresh water once a week, and closed with tight lids. The attention of the public has been drawn to the health hazards posed by stagnation of water near the houses.

The awareness drive has been launched in view of the rainy season that will set in by the end of this month.

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