Over 400 samples test positive for Chikungunya at AIIMS

Even as the health authorities have intensified measures to control the surging chikungunya and dengue cases in the national capital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said on Thursday it has tested over 400 new samples for chikungunya in the last two weeks, taking the vector borne cases in the hospital alone to nearly 900.

"The samples testing for Chikungunya is rising. Till now some 885 samples have tested positive for dengue and out of which over 400 are new one tested positive in the last two weeks," Lalit Dar of Department of Microbiology at AIIMS, told IANS.

However, as per the civic bodies the total number of Chikungunya is only 560 till September 3.

Following the rising number of vector-borne diseases, which also includes Dengue and Malaria, the the Cabinet Secretary has also directed the health authorities at the central and state government and municipal corporations level to increase more public awareness, so that the disease can be prevented, and availability of medicines ensured.

According to the civic bodies, Delhi has recorded a total of 284 new Dengue cases with the total figure reaching 771.

Among the affected are also several doctors of both central and Delhi Government hospitals, which has led to staff crunch in various departments.

Government-run Safdarjung Hospital officials told IANS that a total of 10-12 senior faculty members have tested positive for chikungunya and at least 25 junior doctors, including senior and junior residents, are also suffering from chikungunya and dengue.

--IANS

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