'Chikungunya' is not a lethal disease and it is persisting in those countries where dengue is present because the vector of both diseases is the same mosquito. The main symptom of 'Chikungunya' is high grade fever along with severe pain in joints. The prevention and control of the disease is essential to save the people from the morbidity.
These views were expressed by the public health experts during a meeting chaired by the Punjab Minister for Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique, to discuss strategy for the prevention and treatment of 'Chikungunya' disease, here on Wednesday.
Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases from Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Sobia Qazi, Chief Bacteriologist Punjab Professor Dr Zarfashan Tahir, Professor Anjum Razzaq from Institute of Public Health, Dr Tahir Yaqoob of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore and Additional Secretaries (Technical) from Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education and Primary & Secondary Health Dr Salman Shahid and Dr Asim also attended the meeting.
Dr Sobia Qazi informed that 'Chikungunya' is very identical to the dengue and the symptoms of both the diseases are almost the same, however, patients of 'Chikungunya' also feels severe pain in joints which can prolong for many weeks and some cases for many months.
The experts were of the view that if dengue surveillance and vector surveillance would be carried out vigorously, control on both the diseases will be more effective because the same dengue mosquito albopictus is the cause of spreading 'Chikungunya.' Khawaja Salman Rafique directed that a working group consisting upon technical experts should immediately be constituted to make recommendations for future strategy in this regard. He directed that the working group should present its recommendations within a week.
The minister also directed to send a letter to all the principals of public sector medical colleges to ask them for a immediate reply regarding the directions issued to them for up-gradation of laboratories few months back.