Rising ‘Chikanguniya’ cases spreads fear among citizens

Amid the rising possibility of second wave in the city, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation may again have to face another issue that is coming in the form of Chikanguniya.

Over 6 families in Pradhikaran complained about body ache, sudden chill and weakness. After getting their blood tested, the residents were tested for Chikungunya.

This has added to the fear of the citizens amidst the Covid19 pandemic already showing rise in number of patients.

Upon reaching out to Chandrakant Kothari, a resident of Pradhikaran area who first expressed fear of Chikanguniya spreading in other areas of PCMC as a result of the families in Pradhikaran already suffering from the problem. Five members in one family in my neighbourhood have been diagnosed with Chikanguniya. It is widely spreading as winters are approaching. “

Rakesh Singhania, another resident who too was tested with Chikanguniya recently, said, “This is not just my family which was tested for the virus, but entire Pradhikaran is struggling with it. I fear if it spreads in entire PCMC amid the ongoing battle with COVID.”

The rise in Chikanguniya cases will only make things worse for the Corporation as there is enough stress being put on controlling COVID cases.

Ravindra Rajapurkar, another area resident, along with his wife was diagnosed with Chikanguniya and recovered within a week through bed rest at home and OPD treatment, said “The PCMC workers came and sprayed the entire with disinfectant but my worry is that it is spreading in the community amid the fear of COVID which is still looming.”

The mayor too has taken the note of the situation and has ordered PCMC authorities to start disinfecting the areas in the city.

Upon raising the issue with PMC Health Official, Dr Pavan Salve, he said, “This is not restricted to just one area, but entire PCMC can face this during this time of month as this is the time when the mosquitos lay eggs in the rain water in the scrap kept in the outside space of the house. We are getting updates on chikanguniya from a number of locations in PCMC. Just that I request citizens to clean the scrap (Tyres) kept in their surrounding area. Our team has been directed to spray the areas of the locality that is largely affected.”