Internet Journal, Chikungunya Outbreak In Kurnool District

This is Internet Journal of Health, 2007 by Neelima Arora, Upadhyayula S. N. Murty, Narahari Dhanwada

Summary:
A sudden upsurge in fever cases with arthralgia /arthritis rising up to magnitude of an epidemic was observed in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh in November, 2005, which further escalated with time raising an alarm in other districts of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining states. Based on presented clinical features and symptoms, the disease was diagnosed which is a crippling and self-limiting viral disease. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a member of the genus Alphavirus of family Togaviridae. Epidemiological survey showed no mortality but an explosion in number of cases during February and April 2006 created a wave of panic among the resident population. Till April 2006, a total of 6072 cases were confirmed positive for Chikungunya. An entomological survey in the area revealed the presence of Aedes mosquitoes, which are vectors for the CHIK virus.

PMHD (Per man hour density) for Aedes ranged from 2-5. Breatau Index was observed to be in the range of 3.57-18.8. The presence of Aedes in very low density in the study area is not correlating with the speed of viral transmission, thus, indicating a possible involvement of other vectors. To prevent the occurrence of more cases and for timely containment of the disease, vector control measures are suggested.



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