'Chikangunya' death toll reaches 12 in Madhya Pradesh

To date 12 lives have been lost in Betul. 'With three more deaths Sunday - two from remote Dunava and one from Multai - the total number of deaths allegedly due to Chikangunya fever in Betul district has reached 12,' a source in the medical industry said on 6th July 2006.

The source continued:

'The dead include a 10-year-old girl, Preeti, and a senior citizen and freedom fighter, Laxman Singh Parihar. Over a dozen others are in critical condition with no signs of improvement even after regular medical aid. Chikangunya, affecting over 60,000 odd population, is now spreading to other districts - Chhindwara, Badwani and Burhanpur. However, 70 blood samples have been dispatched to New Delhi-based National Institute of Communicable Diseases and a report is expected next week.'

Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi admitted that Chhindwara, Badwani and Burhanpur were affected with the fever. And commented: 'The situation is under control and even the Maharashtra government has praised my department's rapid action to tackle the disease.'

Copyright:
Indo-Asian News Service