Nagpur: Chikungunya outbreak is finally on the decline after wreaking havoc across the city for five months. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has recorded just six cases and no chikungunya death this month. The vector-borne infection left many people severely immobile for days, besides lingering joint pains for months.
Dr Deepak Selukar, medical officer (health), NMC, said the chikungunya subsided after rains stopped and there was no formation of stagnant water. The city started reporting chikungunya cases in June with 30 cases. Soon, the number climbed to 88 the next month and rose to enormous proportions in August and September before slowing down in October.
Though officials reported the highest number of 402 cases in a month in September, it appeared every other citizen was afflicted with the disease. During the outbreak, many citizens had difficulty in walking or performing routine chores due to acute joint pains after contracting the infection. Many even needed assistance to walk.
The official count has put affected patients at 1,062. Doctors say the numbers could be much higher as those requiring post-chikungunya physiotherapy and medications were more than the official count.
This was the second major chikungunya outbreak after 2006 when a similar number of people were affected, though official data is not available to ascertain when the city recorded its highest tally.
Dr Deepak Selukar, medical officer (health), NMC, said the chikungunya subsided after rains stopped and there was no formation of stagnant water. The city started reporting chikungunya cases in June with 30 cases. Soon, the number climbed to 88 the next month and rose to enormous proportions in August and September before slowing down in October.
Though officials reported the highest number of 402 cases in a month in September, it appeared every other citizen was afflicted with the disease. During the outbreak, many citizens had difficulty in walking or performing routine chores due to acute joint pains after contracting the infection. Many even needed assistance to walk.
The official count has put affected patients at 1,062. Doctors say the numbers could be much higher as those requiring post-chikungunya physiotherapy and medications were more than the official count.
This was the second major chikungunya outbreak after 2006 when a similar number of people were affected, though official data is not available to ascertain when the city recorded its highest tally.
