Doctors are clueless about the viral strain that has gripped several states in India this monsoon.
OUTBREAKS OF viral fever occur with seasonal regularity during the monsoon in India. For the past few years, dengue and chikungunya viruses have been the predominant pathogens. But this year, the country is in the grip of a strange fever. Its symptoms are similar to chikungunya and dengue but tests on patients show negative results for these mosquito-borne viral diseases. Reena, a resident of Bhogal in south Delhi, is one such patient. She ran high temperature for 10 days and suffered from severe pain in the joints, rashes and swollen face—symptoms associated with chikungunya. But the tests showed negative results. Similar was the case of Prachi Nautiyal, a resident of Noida, Uttar Pradesh. In August, Prachi suffered from high fever, body ache, joint pain and skin rashes but tests for dengue and chikungunya showed negative results.
The phenomenon is not limited to Delhi. Vivek Billampelly, former president of General Practitioners Association, Pune, says the city too has had a high number of viral fever cases. Samarjit Naskar, critical care expert at Belle Vue Hospital, Kolkata, also says that there is a huge number of patients with undiagnosed viral fever this year.
Difficulty in diagnosis also increases the treatment cost for patients because they have to undergo several tests. Ajay Nagar of Rajbeer Colony, Delhi, had to spend R10,000 on treatment and identification of the viral strain her mother was suffering from. But the tests remained inconclusive.
Experts clueless
Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin September 16, 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin September 16, 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.