India is struggling with simultaneous outbreaks of two deadly diseases both spread by the same mosquito. Dengue fever has so far killed 43 people in and around the Indian capital Delhi, and a chikungunya epidemic in the southern state of Kerala has claimed more than 80 lives, health officials have confirmed.
A team of experts from the World Health Organization arrived today in Alappuzha – the Kerala district worst affected by chikungunya – to assess the situation and help health authorities tackle the spread of the disease. Up to 20,000 people are infected in Alappuzha, authorities say.
Chikungunya and dengue are both viral fevers spread through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Chikungunya, also known as “stooping disease” causes fever and severe joint pain that forces sufferers to double over. Dengue, also known as “break-bone fever” causes flu-like symptoms, severe bone pain and internal bleeding.
On Thursday, India's health minister attempted to ease widespread fears over dengue fever, saying action was being taken. "The situation is being controlled. There is no need for alarm. There is no need to be panicked," Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told reporters after meeting with health ministers from four affected states.
The blighted areas will be provided with more insecticide, "fogging machines" to spray it with, and testing kits, the minister said. "We have moved to coordinate efforts. In the next few days to come we expect the cases to reduce," the minister added.
Family woes
Ramadoss refused to comment on the conditions of members of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's family, who are reported to be suffering from dengue.
Singh's son-in-law and two grandsons are receiving treatment in hospital for suspected dengue fever – they are reported to be in a stable condition. Television channels showed municipal fogging trucks spraying the prime minister's home on the suspicion that the three were infected there.
Some 2900 dengue infections have been reported across the country. The infection rates in the capital have doubled over the last year – the health ministry confirmed 327 cases up to the end of September 2006, compared to 160 for the same period in 2005.
A dengue outbreak in Delhi claimed more than 400 lives in 1996 when 10,000 people fell sick. Young children and the elderly are most vulnerable to the disease, for which no specific treatment or vaccine exists. If detected early, it is not usually fatal.
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India plagued by deadly mosquito-borne diseases - health - 06 October 2006 - New Scientist
India plagued by deadly mosquito-borne diseases 
