Now Reading: Kerala chikungunya cases hit 105, WHO warns of resurgence
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Kerala chikungunya cases hit 105, WHO warns of resurgence
As of August 4, Kerala has reported 105 confirmed and 62 probable chikungunya cases, mostly in Thiruvananthapuram. The spike follows intense monsoon rains and hot weather that have boosted Aedes mosquito numbers.…
The Story in Brief
As of August 4, Kerala has reported 105 confirmed and 62 probable chikungunya cases, mostly in Thiruvananthapuram. The spike follows intense monsoon rains and hot weather that have boosted Aedes mosquito numbers. The World Health Organization issued a global alert in July 2025, warning that the world risks a repeat of the 2004-05 epidemic that hit Kerala in 2006-07. Public health experts say the actual number of cases is likely several times higher because few patients are tested. The virus causes severe joint pain and long-term disability, though it rarely kills.
The Indian Opinion
The WHO alert and the three-digit case count are worrying, but Kerala has not yet seen clusters. The real danger is complacency, chikungunya causes no deaths but leaves many crippled for years. The 2007 epidemic cost the state dearly in lost productivity. The test now is whether the government will scale up fogging and source reduction before the next monsoon spell. Will the health department publish weekly vector index data to hold itself accountable?
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
