A RECENT REPORT ON CHIKUNGUNYA STATUS IN GUJARAT, WESTERN INDIA
Nishita S. Naik, Shiva V. Murarka, Bhavini S. Shah, Harita Pandit, Rutvik J. Raval and *Mandava V. Rao
ABSTRACT
Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a mosquito borne viral disease caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Gujarat is the second state of India, being higher than Karnataka with respect to suspected cases. We here report CHIKF in Gujarat from October 2016 to December 2019 (39 months) in 2475 suspected cases following Real Time PCR and blood profiles using standard techniques. The confirmed cases were 56% (1393/2475) in four age groups (0-20, 21-40, 41-50 and 51 above yrs.). This infection increased with age. Older age group (51 and above) had a high percentage of infection (47.38%) followed by other age groups (24.62%, 18.23%, 9.76%) of 41-50, 21-40 and 0-20 years. Males were infected more than females (52% against 48%). The frequency of infection was higher in 2018 (58.11%) and 2017 (57.38%) followed by 2019 (37%) with more cases in monsoon and early post monsoon months. The transaminase levels increased marginally in regard to SGOT level, whose normal value ranges 0-37 U/L. Complete blood count (CBC) indicated lymphocytes were significantly reduced in positive cases, followed by a fall in WBC count comparatively in them. This epidemic outbreak was higher in Ahmedabad District (42%) in comparison to other three Districts of Gujarat due to climate, social community, migration and other factors. This study hence calls for the strict implementation of health protective measures in future.
Keywords: Chikungunya, Cases in Gujarat, RT-PCR, Blood Profiles, Epidemiology.
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