Hyderabad: A recent report from the World Health Organisation highlights a significant rise in chikungunya cases across India from 2018 to 2024, including Telangana.
The report, WHO South East Asia Region Epidemiological Bulletin, says that Telangana experienced an upward trend in cases this year after a decline over the past three years.
“States such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Uttarakhand have seen a notable rise in cases compared to historical average over the past six years,” report said.
Given its proximity to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana also saw a sharp rise in cases this year, increasing from just 10 last year to 480 in 2024. The data indicates a stark jump compared to the previous four years (from 20 cases in 2020 to 480 this year).
However, the state recorded 500 cases in 2018, which rose to over 1,000 in 2019 before declining over the next three years (with 15, 20, and 10 cases in 2020, 2021, and 2023 respectively), only to increase again this year. Telangana ranks among the top five states for chikungunya cases this year, with Maharashtra leading at nearly 5,000 cases, followed by Karnataka with 2,000 cases, Rajasthan with 500, and then Telangana. Doctors have found it more difficult to manage cases this year due to the varied symptoms and the longer-than-usual duration of the illness.
“Telangana faced a severe chikungunya wave this year, especially in southern regions, due to its proximity to AP. This time, symptoms have lasted for months and often require steroid treatment,” explained Dr Kiran Madhala, a health expert.
