In a surprising turn, Chikungunya has overtaken Dengue as the leading monsoon-related illness in Nagpur. Data from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) reveals that out of 143 suspected Chikungunya cases, 52 have been confirmed, with 45 of these cases emerging in the past six weeks.
In comparison, Dengue is less common, with only 29 out of 159 patients testing positive. Of these, 16 cases were reported in June and July..
The spread of Chikungunya is particularly concerning, with 36 cases concentrated in the Mangalwari zone. The Dharampeth zone has reported 16 cases. In contrast, Dengue cases are more spread out across all 10 zones, with Mangalwari having the highest number at six cases.
Dr. Nitin Shinde, an infectious disease specialist, has expressed concern about the high positivity rate for Chikungunya. He has urged to take extra precautions to prevent mosquito breeding.
The rise in Chikungunya cases has sparked political criticism, with NCP Vice-President Vedprakash Arya blaming the municipal commissioner for insufficient public health measures. Arya attributes the surge in cases to the absence of civic body elections over the past three years, which he argues has led to neglected public health concerns. This situation highlights the urgent need for effective action to prevent the further spread of Chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases in Nagpur.