The Union Health Ministry today sought a detailed report from the Delhi government on deaths due to "upsurge" of chikungunya, which has claimed 10 lives in Delhi and affected over 1,000 people and directed officials to remain alert to prevent it from escalating further.
Urging people not to panic and undergo symptomatic treatment, Union Health Minister J P Nadda, who held a high level meeting with concerned officials to review the dengue and chikungunya situation in the country especialy Delhi, also spoke to Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain and assured him of all support from the Centre.
"We have sought a detailed report from Delhi government (regarding chikungunya deaths) as to what has been the co-morbidity in these death cases and its details.
"There is no second opinion that death does not occur due to chikungunya and it does not become the cause of death. But still, we have sought a detailed report from Delhi government. Whatever help and support is needed will be given," Nadda told reporters.
Chikungunya is taking its toll in Delhi and a few other cities across the country, with at least ten deaths due to the vector-borne disease reported in the last two days in the national capital where the number of cases have crossed over 1,000.
Observing that there is no shortage of drugs and testing facilities to counter this recent upsurge, Nadda said that doctors have been advised to strictly follow the protocols.
The Health ministry is also providing training to health workers to ensure timely implementation of various activities that need to be undertaken for vector control, he said.
"I spoke to Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain before the review meeting and asked him if he had some requirements. He said that all facilities are available with them and they are working as per the protocols.
"I have told him that if he has any requirement, he should tell us. He assured that there are adequate medicines, beds and testing facilities. I conveyed to him that whatever facilities is needed the Centre is ready to give. We will be working together. We want to address the issue by working in coordination," Nadda said.
According to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), around 12,255 cases of chinkungunya have been reported across the country till August 31. Karnataka alone has recorded 8,941, Maharashtra 839 and Andhra Pradesh 492.
Nadda directed officials to be alert over next few months and to strengthen activities for awareness generation and prevention and control of Chikungunya to effectively address the situation and not allow it to escalate.
He also asked NVBDCP, Delhi Government and municipal bodies to "coordinate" their awareness activities.
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Nadda said dengue has also been reported in West Bengal, Odisha, Kerela and Karnataka while some cases of malaria have also been reported in West Bengal.
He said the Centre has been sensitive about both the diseases since January and has been working in proper coordination with state governments.
While eleven advisories have been issued to the states regarding protocols and methodology to be followed to tackle the diseases, three video conferences have also been done.
"There has been no report or complaints of shortage of medicines, testing facilities or issues like doctors not following protocols from the entire country. Everything is in place.
"There is no need to panic. With regards to Chinkungya, there is need to take symptomatic treatment. Apart from medicines prescribed by the doctor, one should consume more and more liquid," Nadda said.
He also appealed to the people of the country including Delhi to focus on hygiene and sanitation and take steps to stop
breeding of mosquitoes in the localities.
Senior officials from the health ministry, NVBDCP, medical superintendents of central government hospitals including AIIMS, RML and Safdurjung and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were present during the meeting.
The Centre has already asked all states to declare dengue as notifiable disease to improving reporting and to take preventive measures in the affected areas.
Intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns have been launched to enhance the level of awareness regarding the promotive and treatment protocols of Dengue and Chikungunya, Nadda was told during the meeting.
Nadda said that the Ministry is working very closely in coordination with the Delhi Government and his Ministry has already provided all logistical and technical support to the Delhi Government in terms of surveillance and diagnostic kits to strengthen their efforts in addressing dengue.
During the meeting, the central government hospitals officials said that there was no shortage of beds, drugs, testing facilities to treat the incoming patients.
Nadda stressed the need to start rigorous awareness campaigns on preventive steps to be taken up by people and suggested that awareness activities to be taken up in schools, colleges and various localities with the help of the school administration and the RWAs.
Out of the 1,057 total cases of chikungunya this season in Delhi, 497 cases were reported in the last week, amounting to a rise of nearly 90 per cent from its count by the civic body on September 3.
