Karachi Records 211 Suspected Chikungunya Cases in Five Months

KARACHI: Over the past five months, Karachi has witnessed a sharp rise in chikungunya cases, with 211 suspected cases reported from May to September, according to the health department. Of the 189 individuals screened, 140 were confirmed positive for the disease.

Chikungunya, a viral illness similar to dengue, is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. In response to the outbreak, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued an advisory recommending immediate actions to control and prevent the further spread of the virus.

The Ministry of Health has also directed relevant authorities to take prompt measures to combat the situation. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharat, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, highlighted that chikungunya is a growing concern, with most cases reported from Karachi, though other regions are also affected. He added that globally, the majority of cases come from Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Dr. Bharat stressed the need for heightened public awareness and precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease, especially in areas most impacted by the outbreak.

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