Dr Khaltkar said his OPD daily witnesses a steady stream of 3-4 chickenpox patients.“My fellow IAP members in Central India too have seen similar surge,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of proactive surveillance, vaccination, and public health measures in mitigating the risks of chickenpox. “I urge citizens to remain vigilant. Don’t miss the regular vaccination schedule of your children,” said Dr Khalatkar.
Explaining the reason behind resurgence of chickenpox cases, epidemiologist Anand Thatte told TOI that viral variations denote genetic mutations or alterations in the structure of viruses, leading to the emergence of new strains. “These variations can impact the virulence, transmission, and effectiveness of existing treatments or preventive measures, thereby influencing disease outcomes,” he said.
On the contributing factors behind emergence of viral variation, Thatte said, “There are several, including genetic recombination, environmental changes, host adaptation, and global travel. These factors create conducive conditions for viruses to evolve and adapt.”
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