2 days ago
Chikungunya surge in Mumbai: Here's why you should avoid self-medication
Chikungunya cases are surging in Mumbai, showing an upward trend. According to data from BMC's Epidemiology and Public Health Department Cell, a total of 265 cases of chikungunya were reported from January to July this year, compared to 46 in the corresponding period in 2024. Across Maharashtra, too, there has been a slight rise in cases of chikungunya with 1,512 cases reported this year as against 1189 in the corresponding period in 2024.
Dr Daksha Shah, BMC's executive health officer, said the early onset of rain from May this year created a favourable environment for vector-borne diseases, resulting in a rise in cases.
Concerns have been raised as chikungunya cases are spiralling in China, where an outbreak had infected 7,000 people since late June. The World Health Organisation (WHO), too, according to a recent update in June, has raised concerns about the ongoing spread of chikungunya in South Asia.
What is chikungunya?
It is an infection caused by the chikungunya virus, which is transmitted to humans by infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. These mosquitoes bite primarily during daylight hours. Aedes aegypti feeds both indoors and outdoors. While the overall fatality rate is low, severe disease can occur, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
What about symptoms, how long does the infection last?
It is characterised by an abrupt onset of fever, frequently accompanied by severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash, all of which are also common to dengue and malaria. 'The infection is self-limiting but joint pain is the standout symptom. It is debilitating and lasts for a minimum of three months although you may recover in a week,' says Dr Rajesh Gadia, consulting physician at KEM Hospital, Pune.
Dr Shashank Joshi, consulting physician with Lilavati Hospital, says in a season of fevers with overlapping symptoms, it is best to consult doctors and avoid self-medication.
What about treatment and vaccines?
Fever and joint pain are addressed with antipyretics and analgesics, drinking plenty of fluids and general rest. There is no specific antiviral drug. Two vaccines have received regulatory approvals but are not yet widely available nor in widespread use.
Chikungunya has seasonal trends
'Chikungunya epidemics display cyclical and seasonal trends. There is an inter-epidemic period of four to eight years (sometimes as long as 20 years). Outbreaks are most likely to occur in the post-monsoon period when the vector density is very high,' says Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Bengaluru.
What about prevention?
Aedes aegypti breeds in stored fresh water in an urban and semi-urban environment. 'It is important to reduce such breeding sites. These are also daytime mosquitoes. Hence it would be a good idea to protect your legs and wear full-sleeve shirts when at work, during shopping or at the cinema hall, because that is where mosquitoes will find you. Use mosquito nets,' Dr Mishra says. These mosquitoes have a very short flight of a few hundred metres, so they don't spread very fast over long distances. 'Hence there is a localised spread of the disease, generally near the favourable breeding conditions,' Dr Mishra adds.
Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition.
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