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Dreaded chikungunya flies into Andamans Sanchita Sharma New Delhi ABOUT 1,500 people in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' capital of Port Blair have contacted chikungunya from "mainlanders", forcing the state government to screen travellers coming into the state. Though the debilitating infection has not reached endangered tribes such as the Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Shompens and Onges, the state health department has intensified surveillance in the islands they inhabit to ensure they remain uninfected. Infections such as influenza have wiped out tribals in the past: influenza and other infections have reduced the number of Great Andamanese from 5,00 at the beginning of last century to 44, while a measles outbreak in 1999 killed 10 per cent Jarawas. "The tribals have to be protected as they have no immunity against alien viruses. Infected mainlanders from Vizag, Chennai and other parts of south India are bringing the chikungunya virus to Port Blair. Since June this year, the city has reported 1,500 cases of the chikungunya with the textbook symptoms of fever and joint deformity," says Dr N. Sadasivn, director general of health services, Andaman and Nicobar islands. Only 80 cases, though, were severe enough to need hospitalisation. Unfortunately, all efforts to screen people at the ports and airport have failed so far. So the health department has shifted focus from the ports to protecting the endangered tribes. Luckily for them, only 37 of the islands in the archipelago are inhabited. Tribes in danger Influenza and other infections have reduced the number of Great Andamanese from 500 at the beginning of last century to 44 now A measles outbreak in 1999 killed 10 per cent of the Jarawas. THE DWINDLING NUMBERS Great Andamanese: Live on Straight Island. Population: 44 Onges: Live on Little Andaman Island. Population of 105 Jarawas: Live on the Western coast of Middle Andaman and South Andaman Islands. Population is 350. Sentinelese: Live on North Sentinel island. Population: 100. The Shompens: Live on the Nicobar Islands. Population: 90 Great Nicobarese: Live on Nicobar Islands such as Car Nicobar. Population: 10,080 Source: Department of Health, Andaman and Nicobar islands Publication: HT; section: Nation; Pg:9; Date:14/9/06 URL : http://epaper.hindustantimes |
