Punjab is currently grappling with a significant increase in chikungunya cases, coinciding with ongoing concerns over dengue underreporting. This rise in mosquito-borne diseases is generating intense pressure on public health officials.
Current Chikungunya Outbreak in Punjab
This year, the health department has reported over 495 cases of chikungunya across the state. This marks the second-worst outbreak since 2017, when just 201 cases were logged.
- Sangrur: 113 cases (most affected district)
- Barnala: 104 cases
- Patiala: 74 cases (also facing a dengue outbreak)
Last year, chikungunya cases were significantly lower, with only 224 reported. The disease had seen a sporadic trend over the years: 201 in 2017, followed by 25 in 2018, a drop to 19 in 2019, and no cases in 2020. The numbers surged again in subsequent years, with 144 cases in 2021 and 469 cases in 2022. The current spike, reaching 2,072 cases in 2023, shows a worrying trend.
Symptoms and Diagnosis Challenges
Chikungunya is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, sharing similar symptoms with dengue fever. It is characterized by severe joint pain and inflammation, with symptoms potentially lingering from three weeks to three months even after treatment. Misdiagnosis can often occur due to symptom similarities.
To enhance disease surveillance, Punjab has significantly increased testing. The state has tested around 9,500 samples for chikungunya so far this year, compared to just 1,215 during the same timeframe last year.
Government Response and Public Concerns
In October, the central government expressed concerns regarding the rising chikungunya cases. Following complaints from residents about poor mosquito control measures, the Union government issued a notice to Punjab’s state nodal officer. Allegedly, many households in Mansa have been affected due to inadequate fumigation efforts.
- Mansa: 48 confirmed cases with 407 tests conducted
- Sangrur: 113 confirmed cases from 713 tests (15% positivity)
- Amritsar: 18 cases from 1,304 tests (lower positivity rate)
The ongoing chikungunya outbreak underscores the need for improved mosquito control and accurate reporting of disease cases in Punjab. Public health officials are under pressure to address these dual challenges effectively.
