Hepatitis (Jaundice)

What is Hepatitis ?

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A causes inflammation that affects your liver's ability to function.

How does it spread?
It is contracted from contaminated food or water or from close contact with someone who's already infected

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis?
Symptoms in young children will be mild, but symptoms in older children and adults are likely to be more severe. The signs and symptoms appear suddenly and may be mistaken for intestinal flu.

The symptoms are:

Fatigue

Nausea and vomiting

Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the area of your liver on your right side beneath your lower ribs

Loss of appetite

Low-grade fever

Dark urine

Muscle pain

Itching

Yellowing of skin and white of eyes.(Jaundice)

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The symptoms appear after one month of the entry of the virus into the body.

How is it diagnosed?

Blood test for measuring the Bilirubin levels and enzyme levels in your body are done to detect the presence of Hepatitis.

What are the complications of Hepatitis?

In severe cases liver damage leading to liver failure - a life threatening condition may develop.

What is the treatment for Hepatitis?

No specific treatment exists for hepatitis. Instead, the main focus is on making sure you get adequate nutrition and avoid any permanent liver damage.Soft, easily digestable foods are suggestive.

What precautions should the infected person follow?

The most important precautions are careful handwashing after each toilet visit and proper disposal of sewage .

How to prevent Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is highly contagious. Preventing the spread of the virus involving self protection and protecting others from infection is important. The protective measures are:

* Hepatitis vaccine

* Good hygiene

* Good sanitation

Shigellosis

What is shigellosis?

Shigellosis is a bacterial infection affecting the intestinal tract. It is a fairly common disease; Most cases are seen in the summer and early fall and occur as single cases or outbreaks.

Who gets shigellosis?
Anyone can get shigellosis but it is recognized more often in young children.

How is the shigella germ spread?

Shigella germs are found in the intestinal tract of infected people, and is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by an infected person. It can also be spread by direct contact with an infected person.

What are the symptoms?

People exposed to the shigella germ may experience mild or severe diarrhea, often with fever and traces of blood or mucous in the stool. Some infected people may not show any symptoms.

How soon do symptoms appear?

The symptoms may appear one to seven days after exposure but usually within two to three days.

When and for how long is a person able to spread shigellosis?

Most people pass shigella in their feces (stool) for one to two weeks. Certain antibiotics may shorten the carrier phase.

Should infected people be isolated or excluded from school or work?

Since the germ is passed in the feces of an infected person, people with active diarrhea or those who are unable to control their bowel habits should be isolated. Most infected people may return to work or school when their diarrhea ceases, provided that they carefully wash their hands after toilet visits.

How is shigellosis treated?

Shigellosis can usually be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics commonly used for treatment are ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (also known as Bactrim* or Septra*), nalidixic acid, or ciprofloxacin. Appropriate treatment kills the Shigella bacteria that might be present in the patient's stools, and shortens the illness. Unfortunately, some Shigella bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics and using antibiotics to treat shigellosis can actually make the germs more resistant in the future. Persons with mild infections will usually recover quickly without antibiotic treatment. Therefore, when many persons in a community are affected by shigellosis, antibiotics are sometimes used selectively to treat only the more severe cases.

What can be done to prevent the spread of shigellosis?

Since germs are passed in feces, the single most important prevention activity is careful hand washing after using the toilet.

Campylobacteriosis

What is campylobacteriosis?

Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract and, rarely, the bloodstream. Most cases are seen in the summer months and occur as single cases. Outbreaks are uncommon.

Is this a new disease?

No. Campylobacteriosis has probably been in existence for many years but has only recently been recognized as a common infection as a result of improved laboratory methods.

Who gets campylobacteriosis?

Anyone can get campylobacter infection.

How is the germ spread?

Campylobacter are generally spread by consumption of contaminated food or water and, occasionally, by contact with infected people or animals.

What are the symptoms of campylobacteriosis?
Campylobacteriosis may cause mild or severe diarrhea, often with fever and traces of blood in the stool.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The symptoms generally appear two to five days after the exposure.

Where are the campylobacter germs found?

Many animals including swine, cattle, dogs and birds (particularly poultry) carry the germ in their intestines. These sources in turn may contaminate meat products (particularly poultry), water supplies, milk and other items in the food chain.

For how long can a person carry the campylobacter germ?


Generally, infected people will continue to pass the germ in their feces for a few days to a week or more. Certain antibiotics may shorten the carrier phase.

Do infected people need to be isolated or excluded from school or work?

Since the organism is passed in the feces, only people with active diarrhea who are unable to control their bowel habits (infants and young children for example) should be isolated. Most infected people may return to work or school when their stools become formed provided that they carefully wash their hands after toilet visits. Food handlers, children in day care and health care workers must obtain the approval of the local or state health department before returning to their routine activities.

What is the treatment for campylobacteriosis?

Most people infected with Campylobacter will recover on their own or require fluids to prevent dehydration. Antibiotics are occasionally used to treat severe cases or to shorten the carrier phase, which may be important for food handlers, children in day care and health care workers. Since relapses occasionally occur, some physicians might treat mild cases with antibiotics to prevent a recurrence of symptoms.

How can campylobacteriosis be prevented?

1. Always treat raw poultry, beef and pork as if they are contaminated and handle accordingly:

o Wrap fresh meats in plastic bags at the market to prevent blood from dripping on other foods.
o Refrigerate foods promptly; minimize holding at room temperature.
o Cutting boards and counters used for preparation should be washed immediately after use to prevent cross contamination with other foods.
o Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats.
o Ensure that the correct internal cooking temperature is reached particularly when using a microwave.

2. Avoid eating raw eggs or undercooking foods containing raw eggs.
3. Avoid using raw milk.
4. Encourage careful handwashing before and after food preparation.

Make sure children, particularly those who handle pets, wash their hands carefully.

Giardiasis (beaver fever)

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia lamblia. It is a fairly common cause of diarrheal illness. Cases may occur sporadically or in clusters or outbreaks.

Who gets giardiasis?

Anyone can get giardiasis but it tends to occur in people who consume improperly treated surface water.

How is this parasite spread?

The giardia parasite is passed in the feces of an infected person or animal and may contaminate water or food. person to person transmission may also occur in day care centers or other settings where handwashing practices are poor.


What are the symptoms of giardiasis?
People exposed to giardia may experience mild or severe diarrhea, or in some instances no symptoms at all. Fever is rarely present. Occasionally, some will have chronic diarrhea over several weeks or months, with significant weight loss.


How soon do symptoms appear?
The symptoms may appear from three to 25 days after exposure but usually within 10 days.

For how long can an infected person carry giardia?

The carrier stage generally lasts from a few weeks to a few months. Treatment with specific antibiotics may shorten the carrier stage.


Where are the giardia parasites found?

Giardia has been found in fecal wastes of nfected people (with or without symptoms) and wild and domestic animals.



What is the treatment for giardiasis?



Antibiotics such as albendazole, metronidazole or furizolidone are often prescribed by doctors to treat giardiasis. However, some individuals may recover on their own without medication.



Should an infected person be excluded from work or school?

People with active diarrhea who are unable to control their bowel habits (infants and young children for example) may need to be excluded from settings such as day care or group activities where they may present a risk to others. After they have been treated and have recovered, they may be permitted to return. In addition, some local health departments may require follow-up stool testing to confirm that the person is no longer contagious. Individuals who are not in high-risk settings may return to their routine activities when they have recovered, provided that they carefully wash their hands after each toilet visit.


What can a person or community do to prevent the spread of giardiasis?

Three important preventive measures are:

Carefully wash hands thoroughly after toilet visits.

Carefully dispose of sewage wastes so as not to contaminate surface water or groundwater.

Avoid consuming untreatedwater from springs, streams or lakes

LEPTOSPIROSIS

What is Leptospirosis?

It is a bacterial disease caused by a spirochaete, Leptospira interrogans affecting human and animals.

What are the symptoms of Leptospirosis in humans?

High fever, severe headache,Chills,Vomitting, Conjuctival suffusion,Muscle ache, Jaundiceand Haemorrhagic manifestations are the common symptoms of Leptospirosis.

How does Leptospirosis spread?

It is spread to humans through contact with the environment contaminated with the urine of carrier animals.(infected animals). Direct transmission of leptospirosis is rare.


Which animals act as carrier animals?

In Tamilnadu, the most common carrier animals are Rats, Cow, Buffalo, Goat, Sheep and Dogs .


How to differentiate Leptospirosis from other fever?

Acute febrile illness with headache, myalgia associated with conjuctival suffusion, Jaundice, living in an environment contaminated with animal urine or a history of exposure to infected animals can be suspected for Leptospirosis.


Will Leptospirosis cause death?

The severe form of the disease characterized by severe jaundice with Multi-organ failure may lead to death.


What is the specific treatment for Leptospirosis?

For confirmed Leptospirosis cases, the treatment is Inj.Benzathine Penicillin – 5million units/day for 5days. For hyper reactive cases ,Tab.Erythromycin 250mg-4times/day for 5days or Tab.Doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 10days.


8. How can we prevent Leptospirosis?

Disease prevention consist of good sanitation. Health education to the community to increase awareness about how to control and prevent the disease will prevent the disease spread. The use of boots and gloves on hazardous places can minimize the risk of spread.

Amebiasis (amebic dysentery)

What is amebiasis?
Amebiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. Amebiasis affects 15% of the Indian population.

Who gets amebiasis?
Anyone can get amebiasis. There is no racial difference in the occurrence of the disease. It is frequently a household infection. When an individual in a family is infected, others in the family may also be affected.

How is amebiasis spread?
Amebiasis is contracted by consuming contaminated food or water containing the cyst stage of the parasite. It can also be spread by person to person contact.

What are the symptoms of amebiasis?
People exposed to this parasite may experience mild or severe symptoms or no symptoms at all. Fortunately, most exposed people do not become seriously ill. The mild form of amebiasis includes nausea, loose stools, weight loss, abdominal tenderness and occasional fever. Rarely, the parasite will invade the body beyond the intestines and cause a more serious infection, such as a liver abscess.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
The symptoms may appear from a few days to a few months after exposure but usually within two to four weeks.

For how long can an infected person carry this parasite?
Some people with amebiasis may carry the parasite for weeks to years, often without symptoms.

Where are the parasites that cause amebiasis found?
The parasite lives only in humans. Fecal material from infected people may contaminate water or food, which may spread the parasites to anyone who consumes them.

How is it diagnosed?
Examination of stools under a microscope is the most common way for a doctor to diagnose amebiasis. Sometimes, several stool samples must be obtained because the number of amoeba being passed in the stool, which varies from day to day, may be too low to detect from any single sample.

What is the treatment for amebiasis?
Specific antibiotics such as metronidazole can be prescribed by a doctor to treat amebiasis.

Should an infected person be excluded from work or school?
Although people with diarrhea due to amebiasis should not attend school or go to work, it is not necessary to exclude infected persons when they feel better and stools are normal. Casual contact at work or school is unlikely to transmit the disease. Special precautions may be needed by foodhandlers or children enrolled in day care settings. Consult your local health department for advice in such instances.

What precautions should the infected person follow?
The most important precautions are careful handwashing after each toilet visit and proper disposal of sewage .

How to Control and prevent Amebiasis?
Water filtration and boiling ae effective than chemical treatment of water against amoebiasis.

Cholera

What is cholera?
Cholera is a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. It is caused by a germ called Vibrio cholerae. Although only a few cases are recognized in the United States each year, epidemic levels of cholera have recently been reported in parts of Central and South America.

Who gets cholera?
Cholera affects all ages and both sexes. Movement of population(eg. pilgrimages, marriages, fairs and festivals) results in increased risk of exposure to infection.

How is the germ spread?
The cholera germ is passed in the stools. It is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by the fecal waste of an infected person. This occurs more often in underdeveloped countries lacking adequate water supplies and proper sewage disposal.

What are the symptoms of cholera?
People exposed to cholera may experience mild to severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. Fever is usually absent.

How soon do symptoms appear?
The symptoms may appear from a few hours to five days after exposure.

What is the treatment for cholera?
Because of the rapid dehydration that may result from severe diarrhea, replacement of fluids by mouth or by the intravenous route is critical. Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are also used to shorten the duration of diarrhea and shedding of the germs in the feces.

Is there a vaccine for cholera?
A vaccine is available. However, the vaccine offers only partial protection (50%) for a short duration (two to six months) . The use of the current vaccine cannot be justified as they are of no value in controlling epidemics.

How can cholera be prevented?
The single most important preventive measure is to avoid consuming uncooked foods or water. The next important preventive measure is sanitary disposal of excreta and handwashing with soap after defecation.

Typhoid Fever

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection of the intestinal tract and occasionally the bloodstream. The germ that causes typhoid is a unique human strain of salmonella called Salmonella typhi.

Who gets typhoid fever?
All ages are susceptible to infection throughout the year. The peak incidence is during July- September which coincides with the rainy season and increase in fly population.

How is the germ spread?
Typhoid germs are passed in the feces and, to some extent, the urine of infected people. The germs are spread by eating or drinking water or foods contaminated by feces from the infected individual.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may be mild or severe and may include fever, headache, constipation or diarrhea, rose-colored spots on the trunk and an enlarged spleen and liver. Relapses are common. Fatalities are less than one percent with antibiotic treatment.

How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms generally appear one to three weeks after exposure.

For how long can an infected person carry the typhoid germ?
The carrier stage varies from a number of days to years. Only about three percent of cases go on to become lifelong carriers of the germ and this tends to occur more often in adults than in children.

How is typhoid treated?
Specific antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, ampicillin or ciprofloxacin are often used to treat cases of typhoid.

Should infected people be isolated?
Because the germ is passed in the feces of infected people, only people with active diarrhea who are unable to control their bowel habits (infants, certain handicapped individuals) should be isolated. Most infected people may return to work or school when they have recovered, provided that they carefully wash hands after toilet visits. Children in daycare, health care workers, and persons in other sensitive settings must obtain the approval of the local or state health department before returning to their routine activities. Food handlers may not return to work until three consecutive negative stool cultures are confirmed.

Is there a vaccine for typhoid?
A vaccine is available but does not give 100% protection.

How to Control Typhoid?
The control of typhoid fever must take the form of improved sanitation and domestic and personal hygiene.

Malaria

1. What is Malaria ?


Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by the Genus Plasmodium and spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes.

2. What are the symptoms of Malaria ?

Fever, Headache, Bodyache, Rigor and chill.

3. How does malaria spread ?

Malaria is spread by the female anopheles mosquitoes which breeds in fresh water collections like OHTs, Cisterns, wells etc. There is no direct transmission from the infected person to the healthy person. Malaria is spread only through the live of infected mosquito.

4. Is there different type of malaria ?

Yes. There are 4 types of malaria by P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. malaria and

P. ovale.

5. Do all these are prevalent in Tamil Nadu ?

No. P. vivax and P. falciparum are prevalent in Tamil Nadu & dominated by P. vivax Malaria .

6. What are the different types of vector mosquitoes ?

There are 3 different types of vector mosquitoes. An. stephensi – Urban vector; An.culicifacies – Rural vector, An. fluviatilis – Food hill area vector.

7. How to eliminate the breeding of mosquitoes ?

Proper sealing of Over Head Tanks, wells and covering all water containers preventing mosquitoes from laying eggs and thereby breeding.

8. Will Malaria cause death ?

Untreated P. falciparum may cause severe complications leading to death.

9. Is there a vaccine for Malaria ?

No.

10. How does a person know that he is suffering from malaria ?

Any person having fever and headache should be suspected as a malaria case and his blood should be examined for confirming the same or otherwise.

11. Is there any specific treatment for Malaria ?

Yes. All the suspected cases should be given presumptive treatment with chloroquine tablets as per the drug schedule after taking blood smear.

After examining the blood-smear, if the person is found positive for malaria, radical treatment with primaquine should be administered.

12. How to control Malaria ?


i. Taking complete radical treatment will prevent transmission of malaria parasites.

ii. Anti-larval activities by application of Temephos

iii. Anti-adult measures by spray operations in problem areas

iv. Intensified IEC activities.

JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS

1. What is Japanese Encephalitis ?


Japanese Encephalitis is a viral Zoonotic disease. It is caused by the Japanese Encephalitis(B) virus .It is an arbovirus belongs to family Flaviviridae, Closely related to West Nile, St .Louis& Kunjin viruses.

These virus is present mainly in the birds & human being acquire this virus accidentally. It is febrile illness involving the Central Nervous System.

2. What are the signs and symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis?

The course of the disease can be conveniently divided into 3 stages:

A) Prodromal stage.

B) Acute encephalitic stage.

C) Late convalescent stage.

Prodromal stage:

General malaise, abrupt onset of acute fever, head ache often accompanied with vomiting, ranges from 1 to14 days (average of 1 – 3 days).

Acute encephalitic stage:

Continuous fever (100 to 107 F), Stiff Neck, convulsions, Altered sensorium, Focal CNS signs, Delirium, Stupor and finally progressing to coma. Most death occurs in this stage

Late convalescent stage.

Temperature returns to normal ,Neurological signs stationary or tend to improve residual neurological deficit are common.

3. How Japanese Encephalitis is transmitted?

Transmitted by certain species of Cx.vishnui group of mosquitoes like Cx. Vishnui, Cx.pseudovishnui, Cx.tritaeniorhynchus etc. Enters the system by the bite of infected mosquito. The migratory birds carry the virus in them which is transmitted to man through the amplifier host (pig) by the masquitoes.

4. Where do the Japanese encephalitis vector mosquitoes breed?

They breed mainly in Paddy fields.

5. Is there specific treatment for Japanese Encephalitis?

There is no specific treatment for this disease .The treatment is essentially supportive and symptomatic.

6. Is there a vaccine for Japanese encephalitis?

Yes.

7. What is the best way to prevent Japanese Encephalitis ?

The infection is transmitted only through bite of infected mosquito. Human to human transmission is NIL. The best way of prevention is personal protection (using mosquito net and repellants).

8. How to eliminate the breeding of mosquitoes ?

1. Intermittent irrigation (following one dry day a week) is the only way to eliminate the breeding of mosquitoes.

Using of neem coated urea in paddy fields.

source: Tamilnadu Health and Family Welfare

Dengue (Break Bone Fever)

Q. What is dengue?


A. Dengue (pronounced den' gee) is a disease caused by any one of four closely related viruses (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, or DEN-4). The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito(Aedes aegypti). The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the vector of dengue/DHF. It is estimated that there are over 100 million cases of Dengue worldwide each year.

Q. What is dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)?

A. DHF is a more severe form of dengue. It can be fatal if unrecognized and not properly treated. DHF is caused by infection with the same viruses that cause dengue. With proper management, mortality due to DHF can be reduced

Q. How are dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) spread?

A. Dengue is transmitted to people by the bite of an Aedes mosquito that is infected with a dengue virus. The mosquito becomes infected with dengue virus when it bites a person who has dengue or DHF and after about a week can transmit the virus while biting a healthy person. Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person.

Q. What are the symptoms of the disease?

A. The principal symptoms of dengue are high fever, severe headache, backache, joint pains, nausea and vomiting, eye pain, and rash. Generally, younger children are more affected than older children and adults.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is characterized by a fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, with general signs and symptoms that could occur with many other illnesses (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache). This stage is followed by hemorrhagic manifestations, tendency to bruise easily or other types of skin hemorrhages, bleeding nose or gums, and possibly internal bleeding. The smallest blood vessels (capillaries) become excessively permeable (“leaky”), allowing the fluid component to escape from the blood vessels. This may lead to failure of the circulatory system and shock, followed by death, if circulatory failure is not corrected.

Q. What is the treatment for dengue?

A. There is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection. Persons who think they have dengue should use analgesics (pain relievers) with paracetamal and avoid those containing aspirin. They should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and consult a physician

Q. Is there an effective treatment for dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)?

A. As with dengue, there is no specific medication for DHF. It can however be effectively treated by fluid replacement therapy if an early clinical diagnosis is made. Hospitalization is frequently required in order to adequately manage DHF.

Q. Where can outbreaks of dengue occur?

A. Outbreaks of dengue occur primarily in areas where Aedes aegypti (sometimes also Aedes albopictus) mosquitoes are found in large numbers. This includes urban areas as well as rural areas. Dengue viruses may be introduced into areas by migratory workers who become infected while visiting other endemic areas, where dengue commonly exists.

Q. What can be done to reduce the risk of acquiring dengue?

A. There is no vaccine for preventing dengue. The best preventive measure for residents living in areas infested with Aedes aegypti is to eliminate the places where the mosquito lays her eggs, primarily artificial containers that hold water.

Items that collect rainwater or are used to store water (for example, plastic containers, drums, buckets, or used automobile tires) should be covered or properly discarded. Pet and animal watering containers and vases with fresh flowers should be emptied and scrub dried at least once a week. This will eliminate the mosquito eggs and larvae and reduce the number of mosquitoes present in these areas.

For travellers to areas with dengue, as well as people living in areas with dengue, the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes indoors is reduced by windows and doors that are screened. Proper application of mosquito repellents on exposed skin and use of full sleeve clothes decreases the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.

Q. How can we prevent epidemics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)?

A. The emphasis for dengue prevention is on sustainable, community-based, integrated mosquito control, with limited reliance on insecticides (chemical larvicides and adulticides). Preventing epidemic disease requires a coordinated community effort to increase awareness about how to control the mosquito that transmits it. Residents should be made responsible for keeping houses and surroundings free from mosquito breeding by emptying & scrub drying the rotate containers once a week

Source: Tamilnadu Health and Family Welfare Department.

CHIKUNGUNYA

1. What is chikungunya ?


Chikungunya is a fever caused by Chikungunya virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which breads in clean water stagnation in artificial containers.

2. What are the signs and symptoms of Chikungunya?

One to three days fever followed by headache, vomiting, photophobia, joint pain and swelling with or without rashes. If the fever lasts for more than 3 days, investigations are to be carried out to rule out the other causes.

3. How to differentiate with other fevers?

The fever will not last long for more than 3 days. The joint swelling and pain will persist even after the recovery from the fever. The swelling and joint pain may persist 1- 3 weeks or even months depending on the age of the patient.

4. How chikungunya is transmitted?

There is no direct transmission from the infected person to healthy person. It is transmitted by the bite of the infected mosquito.

5. Will Chikungunya cause death?

No. Worldwide statistics and WHO reports clearly show that Chikungunya do not cause death.

There may be deaths due to various other causes during Chikungunya out break. These deaths are often reported in the media as due to Chikungunya which is incorrect.

6. Is there specific treatment for Chikungunya?

There is no specific treatment but drugs like paracetamol, diclofenac sodium, chlroquine are used to relieve fever, joint pains and swelling. Drugs like asprin and steroids should be avoided.

7. Is there any treatment under Indian System of Medicine?

Yes, effective medicine are available. The following medicines are being used.

a. Sudharsana sooranam

b. Threethoda tablets

c. Nilavembu Kudineer

d. Pinda thailam - External use

e. Karpoorathi thailam - External use

8. What is the situation in Tamil Nadu ?

Now the disease is in the verge of total elimination.

9. Is there a vaccine for Chikungunya?

No.

10. Whether the person once recovered from the disease will he/ she get it again?

No. One attack of Chikungunya will give life long immunity .

11. Do we need a blood test for all Chikungunya cases?

No. There is no need to do blood test to confirm Chikungunya. Clinical diagnosis is enough. Fever with joint pain followed by swelling are the cardinal signs of Chikungunya.

12. How did Chikungunya occurred after 42 years?

The first out break of Chikungunya reported during 1963 at Calcutta and in 1964 in Chennai. Due to the change in the structure of the virus the disease has re-emerged.

13. What is the status in Tamil Nadu?

The first outbreak of Chikungunya reported in Vellore on 20th March 2006 and thereafter spread to other parts of Tamil Nadu. The worst affected districts are Vellore, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.

Till October 2006 there are 64,500 cases

14. What is the best way to prevent Chikungunya ?

There is no direct human to human transmission. The infection is transmitted only through bite of infected mosquito. The best way of prevention is to eliminate domestic and peridomestic breeding of mosquitoes.

15. Where do the Aedes agypti mosquito breed?

The Aedes agypti mosquito breeds in clean water stored in artificial water containers within the house. These mosquito also breeds in discarded and unused containers like coconut shells, grinding stone, plastic cups, old tyres, mud pots etc.

16. How to eliminate the breeding of mosquitoes?

Remove all unwanted water containers around the houses

Inside the house, the easiest way is to cover all water containers with cloth including the cement tubs, drums and vessels. This will prevent mosquitoes laying of eggs and thereby prevent mosquito breeding.

17. What is ‘Operation Chikungunya 2006’?

Operation Chikungunya 2006 includes:

• Breeding source reduction measures

• Anti larval activities by application of temiphos

• Anti adult measures by fogging operations

• Intensified IEC activities

18. How Operation Chikungunya 2006 is carried out?

The PHC area is divided into 6 day blocks. Each day block is allotted to a group of health workers. Every day the team will go to their allotted areas, visit house to house and carry out all the above said activities. Nearly 35,000 health functionaries are involved in these activities.

19. How anti larval and anti adult measures are carried out?

Temephos is a chemical used to carry out anti larval activities. 2.5 ml in 10 litres of clean water will give a dilution less than 1 ppm. This stock solution is applied to the water containers based on the height of the water columns.

Pyrethrum extracts is used to carry out anti adult measures by fogging operation.

20. Are these chemicals hazardous to human beings and animals?

No. These chemicals are very safe for human beings and animals in the dilutions used for anti larval activities.

21. What are the other diseases transmitted by aedes agypti mosquitoes?

Dengue and Yellow fever

22. What are the other diseases transmitted by other types of mosquitoes?

Anopheline mosquito which breeds in clean water like wells, overhead tanks and sumps – transmits malaria

Culex mosquito which breeds in sewage and sullage water, drains and septic tanks - transmits filariasis.

Another species of culex mosquito which breeds in paddy fields - transmits Japanese Encephalitis (Brain fever)

23. What are the personal protective measures against mosquito bites?

Mosquito nets and repellants

source: Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department.