Possible chikungunya outbreak

MALDA, 9 NOV: A large number of people including women and children are suffering from high fever in the Gazole block of Malda district for the past 10 days. The health department officials are suspecting a chikungunya outbreak.The health department sent a medical team to the area yesterday to collect blood samples of the affected persons. The deputy chief medical officer of health- III, Dr AL Mandal said: “Nearly 300 persons are suffering from fever in five villages in Gazole block. We suspect that they are suffering from chikungunya. But we would be able to diagnose accurately after getting the blood test reports.”He added that necessary measures have been taken to send medical teams in the affected villages for awareness campaign. “They would further collect blood samples,” he added. ;SNS