Mumbai witnesses slight increase in Chikungunya cases in July

Mumbai has witnessed a marginal increase in Chikungunya cases compared to June a report saidIn July Mumbai reported 24 cases of Chikungunya a mosquitoborne disease commonly seen during the monsoon This marked an increase from the eight cases reported in June Chikungunya is spread by the bite of female Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes which are also responsible for transmitting Dengue feverThe health experts stated that the Chikungunya virus causes this disease and the common symptoms are fever body aches persistent joint pains and skin rashesDr Paritosh Baghel Senior ConsultantInternal Medicine SL Raheja Hospital Mahim said ldquoAs compared to last year there has been no unexpected increase in the number of cases as of now Therefore in order to prevent Chikungunya one should take steps to prevent mosquito bites by wearing fullsleeved clothes applying mosquito repellent creams and using mosquito nets etcrdquoDr Baghel said that Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes breed in stagnant fresh water such as pots tyres so emptying such collected water is a good way to prevent the spread of ChikungunyardquoldquoWe are witnessing a rise in the cases of Chikungunya and Dengue but the numbers are not alarming as of now Most patients with Chikungunya get better in terms of the fever within about a weeks time however the body ache pains and arthritis that are seen postChikungunya can last for a couple of weeks or monthsrdquo said Dr Anita Mathew Infectious Disease Specialist Fortis Hospital MulundThe report also revealed that in 2022 only two Chikungunya cases were reported in JulyldquoThere is no vaccine for Chikungunya as of now and it is a selflimiting illness A majority of patients get better without medication just with symptomatic treatmentrdquo added Dr MathewAccording to the monsoon report released by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC compared to last month there has been no increase in waterborne diseases however there has been an increase in vectorborne diseases Most of the cases are mild and are being treated at outpatient clinicsBesides Chikungunya Mumbai also reported 721 malaria cases and 579 dengue cases in JulyIn June this year Mumbai reported 676 malaria cases and 353 dengue casesldquoTo prevent the breeding of mosquitoes the workplace residence and surroundings must be kept clean Mosquito larvae live in standing water the larvae require only minimal amounts of water and even something as small as a puddle of water on a discarded plastic container can house them odd articles such as tins thermocol boxes coconut shells tires which must be removed Maintain cleanliness around housesrdquo Mumbais civic body BMC said in an advisory