Even as Delhi battles with dengue, it seems to have been gripped by chikungunya as well. Of the seven chikungunya cases reported from across the country in the last 24 hours, two are from the Capital.
Confirming this, officials from Directorate of National Vector-borne Disease Control Programme said the Aedes mosquito, the dengue vector, is simultaneously active in spreading chikungunya as well.
The rest of the cases are from Tamil Nadu. Till now, 11 of the 31 chikungunya cases reported from Delhi have travel history from South India.
So travel history of the latest cases is also under the scanner now.
Doctors in city hospitals have now started sending more samples to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).
The chikungunya virus has hit the city after nearly three decades. “We suggest the NICD carry an epidemic study so as to get more details. This will also help us to gear up for the next year,” said D S Negi, principal secretary (health), Delhi government.
MCD officials, however, say they have stepped up preventive measures. “Preventive measures for both the diseases are the same. With dipping temperatures we hope the mosquito will not be able to sustain for long,” said Municipal Health Officer Dr N K Yadav.