Udupi May 27: The increase in the number of patients visiting hospitals with viral fever and joint ache have set an alarm of a possible attack of the dreaded Chikungunya in the district.

Some 18 cases suspecting Chikungunya were reported from Mala Primary Health Centre of Karkala taluk from May 12 to 21.  However, the District Health Administration has taken up all the precautionary steps by conducting house to house survey, educating people regarding the preventive measures and symptoms of the disease and distributing pamphlets comprising the details of the disease.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Udupi District Health Officer (DHO) Dr M R Naik informed that two blood samples have been sent to National Institute of Virology in Bangalore for confirmation and no cases have been reported since May 21. No proved cases have been registered in the district till today, he added.

DHNS