Chikungunya alone cannot kill, says Union minister

Contrary to the fact what has been reported so far, there hasn't been any standalone chikungunya death, Union Health Minister J P Nadda told reporters on Wednesday. At least six deaths were reported due to the disease in the capital.

The minister said other symptoms such as high blood pressure, along with the disease, may have resulted in the deaths. States hit by chikangunya and dengue include West Bengal, Karnataka and Odisha. After a review meeting with officials, Nadda said there was no shortage of drugs and testing facilities to counter these diseases. The minister has sought a detailed report from the Delhi government on the situation as well.

According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), 12,255 cases of chikungunya have been reported across the country till August 31.

Karnataka alone has recorded 8,941, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh reported 839 and 492 cases, respectively.

The minister said he had asked MCD to ensure there is no water-logging, especially in areas where construction is on.

Nadda appealed to people to focus on hygiene and sanitation so that mosquitoes cannot breed.

Meanwhile, a health ministry official said since health is a state subject there is little the central government can do and enforce. "If state governments have demands, we can fulfill them. That is the best we can do," he said.

Disease claims 10 lives

Five more deaths from chikungunya were reported on Wednesday at a private hospital in Delhi, taking the toll to 10 . All the five deaths have taken place at Apollo Hospital.

All five deaths have taken place at Apollo Hospital and most of the victims were aged 80 or above.

"We have had five deaths in the past three weeks of patients with chikungunya fever, most of whom were elderly.

80-year-old Mahendra Singh from Ghaziabad died of chikungunya complications yesterday afternoon," hospital authorities said.

"He was diagnosed positive for chikungunya through RT-PCR test. He died of multi-organ failure triggered by complications from the disease," they said.

Chikungunya is taking its toll in the national capital where the number of cases have climbed to over 1,000 this season and fever clinics are getting swamped with rush of patients.