Lagatar24 Desk
Pune: In response to the sudden rise in chikungunya cases with rare and severe manifestations, the state public health department has formed a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to investigate the reasons behind this surge. After a decade of relative calm, the city has seen an alarming spike in CHIKV-positive patients, with many showing dengue-like symptoms and more severe complications.
Chikungunya patients have presented with conditions like encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, gastroenteritis, kidney injury, sepsis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, especially among children and the elderly.
The RRT, established on September 18, is chaired by Dr. Radhakishan Pawar, joint director of health services, and includes leading experts from institutes such as the National Institute of Virology (NIV) and BJ Medical College (BJMC).
Key Objectives of the Rapid Response Team
The primary focus of the RRT is to investigate whether there is a mutation in the chikungunya virus or if a new strainis circulating. This will be done by conducting whole genome sequencing of virus samples from patients across different groups—those with mild symptoms, classical symptoms, and rare manifestations.
The team includes experts such as:
- Dr. Babasahed Tandale and Dr. Anuradha Tripati from NIV
- Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, head of microbiology at BJMC
- Dr. Nagnath Redewar, head of medicine at BJMC
- Dr. Mahendra Jagtap, state entomologist
- Dr. Premchant Kamble, assistant director of health services
- Dr. Amol Mankar, public health specialist
Surge in Cases and Complications Observed
As of this year, Pune has reported 225 chikungunya cases, with 139 reported in September alone. Doctors have observed severe complications involving vital organs in both elderly patients and children.
Dr. Kamble noted that soon guidelines will be issued to private labs and hospitals to collect and send samples of chikungunya patients for whole genome sequencing to NIV and BJMC.
Tracking Virus Mutation
Dr. Karyakarte emphasized the importance of receiving samples during peak viraemia to conduct accurate genome sequencing. Samples from asymptomatic patients, as well as those with rare manifestations, will be tested to determine if a mutation is responsible for the severe symptoms.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is coordinating with hospitals, labs, and experts to ensure proper collection and testing of samples. Dr. Rajesh Dighe, head of the vector-borne disease control programme at PMC, mentioned that medical officers are visiting hospitals to collect details of patients with rare manifestations for further investigation.
With the ongoing rise in chikungunya cases and the potential discovery of a new strain, the RRT’s efforts will be crucial in controlling the spread of the virus and understanding the evolving nature of these rare manifestations.
