Mayor Khokon vows to free Dhaka South from chikungunya in 10 days

Dhaka South Mayor Sayeed Khokon has vowed to free his area from chikungunya within the next 10 days.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 22 July 2017, 09:01 AM
Updated : 22 July 2017, 09:31 AM

“The South City Corporation will have chikungunya under control within four to six weeks,” he said at a chikungunya awareness-raising programme on Saturday.

He said it on Jul 14 that it could take three to four weeks to control the disease. "Eight days later I stand before you and say the Dhaka South City Corporation area will be free of chikungunya within the next 10 days.”

The mayor said the rapid pace was possible, thanks to the untiring efforts by city corporation workers and the increased awareness of citizens.

Khokon also cautioned Dhaka residents against letting down their guard following the ‘eradication’, stressing the need for vigilance to prevent the return of the disease.

The mayor said he understood the pain of those affected by chikungunya because his own mother was suffering from the affliction and would use his understanding to fight the disease.

Mosquito-borne viral disease, chikungunya was first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952.

The symptoms of dengue and chikungunya are almost similar, but joint pains are more severe in cases of chikungunya, doctors say.

The virus belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. The name “chikungunya” derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”, and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain.