Chikungunya in Kerala?

The Congress-led United Democratic Front opposition walked out of the Kerala assembly Monday to protest against the government's failure to check the spread of chikungunya, a viral fever caused by mosquito bites.

Former Congress minister K.C. Venugopal said despite chikungunya being first reported from Alappuzha on July 27, the government was yet to act. So far, 37 people have died and 60,000 are suffering from the virus, he added.

"Alappuzha has been the worst hit and despite several requests for immediate action, it was only on Sunday that a meeting of the legislators from the district was called," Venugopal said.

The opposition wanted an adjournment motion to discuss the issue, but the request was turned down by Speaker K. Radhakrishnan, after state Power Minister A.K. Balan in place of Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy, informed the house that close to Rs.3.6 million had been allotted for medicines and to create the basic infrastructure at government health centres.

"When you ruled the state between 2001-06, 660 people died on account of dengue. From the detailed medical reports of the 37 dead, not a single person died on account of chikungunya. We have begun steps for eradication of mosquitoes," said Balan.

This led to angry protests from the opposition members before they walked out against the "callous attitude" of the government.

"I am sorry to say no action has been taken and if one takes into account the number of people being treated in private hospitals, the figure is mind-boggling," said Oommen Chandy, leader of opposition before leading the walkout.

"Reports indicate that the mosquito population in these affected areas has gone up by 12 times. Please don't cling on to technicalities. They are suffering and do the needful," he added.

The chikungunya-affected districts include Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam.