Delhi is burning with high fever and some deaths are also reported due to deadly fevers like Dengue, Chikungunya, and Malaria. Even the capital has reported five ‘chikungunya deaths’ this season, the mortality rate due to the mosquito-borne infection is usually low, said doctors.
According to doctors, while serious complications are not common, the disease may contribute to the cause of
death for older patients. Most patients recover fully, though they may suffer from joint pain for several months and, in some cases, years.
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On the other hand, in a few cases, complications related to eyes, brain and heart, as well as gastrointestinal complaints, have been reported. Some patients who have been tested for chikungunya have also reported severe sight impairment due to inflammation of the optic nerve.
Senior doctor of AIIMs was quoted saying that “Even if the patient develops complications, if he is diagnosed at
an early stage and is treated accordingly, the chances of death due to chikungunya are low.”
