Seroprevalence of Chikungunya virus infection in Ballari and nearby districts of Karnataka

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus, causes fever and nonspecific clinical manifestations similar to malaria and other bacterial infections, it is not routinely tested at the health facilities and therefore goes undiagnosed and as such its prevalence is likely to be underestimated.

The patients with history of fever and arthralgia and clinically suspected were analyzed and Ig M anti chikungunya antibodies were tested by Ig M capture enzyme linked immunosorbant assay.

A total of 449 serum samples from suspected cases of chikungunya infection were received during the study period, out of which 125(21.8%) samples were positive for chikungunya infection. Of the total number of affected 56(44.8%) were males and 69(55.2%) were females.

In Indian scenario there is a need of screening of CHIKV and other arboviruses to prevent the complications as early as possible.