Amid a 55% increase in cases of chikungunya this year, the health department plans to conduct genomic sequencing of samples in order to identify potential mutations. Uncommon symptoms like hyperpigmentation and neurological complications have surfaced. In light of the significant rise in chikungunya viral fever cases this year compared to last year, the health department in Mumbai has announced its intention to genetically analyze some positive samples to ascertain any changes in the virus. State health officials clarified that rare symptoms such as hyperpigmentation and neurological issues (involving swelling in the brain or heart tissues) are not entirely new but exceedingly uncommon. Dr. Mahendra Jagtap, joint director of the vector control program, remarked that such symptoms may be present in chikungunya patients with co-infections like dengue or Japanese encephalitis, in line with guidelines set by the central authorities last year. The state has established a rapid action team to investigate the reasons behind the spike in chikungunya cases from 1,702 in 2023 to 2,643 in 2024 thus far. The team has provided directives for officials at civic and taluka levels on which samples to send to the National Institute of Virology and B J Medical College in Pune for further assessment. As per the guidelines, two blood samples from patients displaying neurological symptoms like paralysis and hyperpigmentation should be gathered and dispatched to the institutes in Pune for thorough evaluation. The objective is to search for any other neurotropic virus in chikungunya patients and perform genomic sequencing, as explained by a senior state official. Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte from B J Medical College highlighted the significance of genomic sequencing in identifying mutations.Once we receive sufficient samples, particularly from patients in the intensive care unit or those with severe symptoms, we will initiate the sequencing process," stated the doctor. In the private hospitals of the city, healthcare professionals noted a significant rise in chikungunya cases this year, with some patients requiring hospitalization due to prolonged high fever and related neurological complications. Children have also been noticeably affected, with an eight-month-old infant being admitted to SRCC Children's Hospital in Haji Ali in early August. At Surya Children's Hospital in Santa Cruz, pediatrician Dr. Bhupendra Avasthi mentioned that children born to mothers who tested positive for chikungunya exhibit hyperpigmentation, a known symptom of the disease.