Mumbai: Seeing a rise of nearly 55% in Chikungunya viral fever cases this year compared to last year, Health Department decided to conduct Genomic Sequencing Some positive samples are being examined to check for any genetic mutations in the virus.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, state health officials also clarified that the so-called new symptoms Hyperpigmentation and neurological problems (inflammation of the brain or heart tissue) were not new, but are extremely rare.
“These symptoms can occur if a chikungunya patient has co-infection of dengue or Japanese encephalitis,” said Dr Mahendra Jagtap, joint director (vector control programme).
These symptoms have also been mentioned in the guidelines published by the Centre last year.
The state has also set up a rapid action team to study the reasons behind the rise in chikungunya cases from 1,702 in 2023 to 2,643 in 2024. Chikungunya cases in Greater Mumbai have also risen to double digits at 256 as of September 7.
The rapid action team, which met for the first time a few days ago, has issued guidelines for civic and taluka-level officials regarding samples to be sent to both the National Institute of Virology and Pune-based BJ Medical College for further analysis.
According to the guidelines, two blood samples should be collected from patients who show neurological symptoms such as paralysis and hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin, especially around the mouth or nose) and sent to the Pune institutes. “The aim is to look for any other neurotropic virus in the chikungunya patient and do genomic sequencing,” said a senior state official.
Dr Rajesh Karyakarte of BJ Medical College said genomic sequencing will help us find out if there are any mutations. “As soon as we get enough samples, we can start sequencing, especially from patients who are in the intensive care unit or have severe symptoms,” he said.
Doctors at private sector hospitals in the city said there has been a significant rise in chikungunya cases this year, with some patients needing hospitalisation for 10 to 15 days to control high fever as well as neurological complications. Children have also emerged as an affected group this year; an eight-month-old baby was admitted to SRCC Children's Hospital in Haji Ali in the first week of August. Dr Bhupendra Awasthi, a paediatrician at Surya Children's Hospital in Santacruz, said hyperpigmentation occurs as a symptom in children born to chikungunya-positive mothers. “However, hyperpigmentation is a well-documented symptom of chikungunya,” he said.