Hospitals in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, are brimming with patients tested positive for chikungunya virus, according to health agencies. News reports say major government hospitals throughout the city are reporting 500-750 suspected cases of the mosquito-borne disease daily, further straining an already struggling public health system. Officials say regular fumigation is being conducted across the identified areas in the city – where mosquitos have been active.
However, despite that, there has been a steady increase in vector-borne diseases malaria, dengue, and chikungunya due to inadequate sanitation, unhygienic conditions, and failing waste disposal systems – all of which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. According to government records, nearly 200 people in Karachi tested positive for the illness between May and September. Of 956 people suspected of having the virus, 713 were tested.
However, the actual number of cases is likely much higher. Many people are also diagnosed without the PCR test, relying instead on matching symptoms and blood tests that show low platelet counts, which can be caused by chikungunya. What is chikungunya? Chikungunya – also known as CHIKV, is a virus that spreads to people through mosquito bites - specifically, through the Aedes aegypti mosquito and Aedes albopictus mosquito.
According to doctors, the virus does not spread from person to person through bodily contact or saliva - although blood transmission may be possible. The name.