Tamil Nadu issues guidelines as chikungunya cases rise in State

The Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine has issued guidelines for the prevention and control of chikungunya in the light of an increase in cases in the State.

The DPH informed all District Health Officers/City Health Officers that chikungunya cases are on a rising trend in most of the southern districts. The cases are on an increasing trend in districts such as Chennai, Villupuram, Tenkasi, Theni, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Ariyalur.

The main clinical symptoms include fever, joint pain, muscle ache and drowsiness. Adequate number of blood samples should be collected and tested in areas where fever cases were reported. Early containment measures to prevent the transmission must be taken.

Appropriate mosquito control and preventive measures should be taken, and source reduction/mass cleaning activities must be intensified in areas where fever cases were reported, the DPH said.