With over 65 people dead and close to 100,000 people affected by chikungunya, a viral fever caused by mosquitoes, Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Tuesday blamed experts for confusing the state government on the nature of the disease.
"Experts are confusing us because some say that it is not chikungunya. The government is doing its best to contain it. We will call an all party meeting and we have asked people from other systems of medicines like Ayurveda and homeopathy to help," Achuthanandan told the Kerala Assembly.Most of the deaths have occurred in Alappuzha district since chikungunya was first detected on July 27. The most affected are the costal districts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and of late, the virus has started taking other districts in its grip.
"This was first raised by us in the assembly last month and it is sad that officials of the National Institute of Virology are coming Wednesday only. Some experts Monday said it is West Nile fever and not chikungunya," said Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy.
Meanwhile the state Health minister P.K. Sreemathi who is camping at Alappuzha said a team of experts from World Health Organisation is arriving Thursday to make a spot study.
Source-IANS
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