A village in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district is gripped by panic as over 700 people, nearly half of its population, have fallen ill due to a Chikungunya outbreak.
The situation has become so dire that even family members and relatives are staying away from the village, fearing the spread of the disease. While the official health records only acknowledge 40 confirmed cases, local authorities and residents allege that the true number of infections is far higher, with more than 700 people showing symptoms.
The village in question, Dorani, has a population of just 1,500, and nearly half of its residents have been affected by the viral fever since the start of the Navratri festival. Fresh cases continue to emerge, with 6 new patients testing positive for Chikungunya on Tuesday, November 12.
According to village head Rahul Madwal, the outbreak began shortly after the Navratri period, when a large portion of the population started exhibiting signs of viral fever. A temporary medical camp was set up at the time, but even now, many people are still unwell, with symptoms ranging from high fever to debilitating joint pain.
“When we asked the health department to conduct a spraying operation to control the spread of mosquitoes, they told us they would need 20 litres of diesel. Now, we are being asked to arrange for the diesel ourselves,” he said, adding, “We have told them to refill the vehicle and provide us with the bill; we will pay through the Panchayat.”
In a statement, Dr Yogesh Sharma, a local health official, confirmed the spread of both Dengue and Chikungunya in Khandwa district. He noted that while Dengue cases were found in various parts of the district, Chikungunya infections were more prevalent in rural areas, including Dorani. As of now, 22 cases of Dengue have been reported in the district, raising further concerns about the ability of the local health infrastructure to contain the outbreak.
Both Chikungunya and Dengue are transmitted by mosquitoes, which are known to thrive in the region. Symptoms of these diseases include high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, and in some cases, rashes and bleeding. Local health officials expressed concerns that the ongoing monsoon season and inadequate vector control measures were contributing to the widespread nature of the outbreak. Mosquito breeding grounds, particularly in stagnant water sources, are common in rural areas like Dorani, exacerbating the problem.