Over 1,000 Test Positive for Chikungunya in Pune Since June; Virus Strain Remains Unchanged
Over 1,000 Test Positive for Chikungunya in Pune Since June; Virus Strain Remains Unchanged
Since June, over 1,000 individuals have tested positive for chikungunya in Pune, as the National Institute of Virology (NIV) reports that 31.3% of the 3,208 samples collected have confirmed the virus. Compared to last year’s figures, this represents a significant increase in cases.
Several doctors have noted a rise in severe chikungunya cases in Pune, with patients exhibiting more complex symptoms, including neurological issues. However, the current strain of the virus is not new, as confirmed by NIV experts. Preliminary genome sequencing has revealed that the circulating strain belongs to the Indian Ocean lineage of the East-Central-South African (ECSA) genotype, consistent with previously circulating strains in India.
According to a report in Indian Express, “The NIV is conducting full genome sequencing to further analyze the virus and assess any potential changes in its virulence.”
Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne arbovirus infection, is typically self-limiting but can cause high morbidity during outbreaks. The virus, which re-emerged in India in 2006 after a 30-year absence, is now endemic across 34 states and union territories. Recent years have seen an uptick in suspected chikungunya cases, with significant outbreaks reported in 2021 and 2022.
