During a significant 55% increase in chikungunya cases this year, the health department is planning to conduct genomic sequencing of samples to detect potential mutations. Uncommon symptoms like hyperpigmentation and neurological issues have surfaced. In response to the nearly 55% surge in cases of chikungunya fever this year compared to the previous year, the health department has opted to perform genetic analysis on select positive samples to identify any possible mutations in the virus. State health officials clarified that purported new symptoms such as hyperpigmentation and neurological problems (involving swelling in the brain or heart tissues) are not actually new but exceedingly rare. Dr. Mahendra Jagtap, the joint director of the vector control program, explained that these symptoms may arise when a chikungunya patient also has a simultaneous infection of dengue or Japanese encephalitis. The state has established a rapid action team to investigate the reasons behind the rise in chikungunya cases from 1,702 instances in 2023 to 2,643 in 2024 thus far. Furthermore, the team has issued directives to civic and taluka-level officials on which samples to send to the National Institute of Virology and B J Medical College in Pune for further examination. Per the guidelines, two blood samples should be collected from patients exhibiting neurological symptoms like paralysis and hyperpigmentation and dispatched to the Pune institutes for analysis. Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte from B J Medical College emphasized that genomic sequencing will be instrumental in identifying any mutations in the virus."Initiate sequencing once we have sufficient samples, especially from ICU patients or those with severe symptoms," a medical professional stated. Private hospitals in the city reported a substantial increase in chikungunya cases this year, necessitating hospitalization for some individuals experiencing prolonged high fever and neurological issues. This year has seen an uptick in affected children as well, with cases like an eight-month-old boy admitted to SRCC Children's Hospital in Haji Ali. Dr. Bhupendra Avasthi from Surya Children's Hospital in Santa Cruz noted that children born to chikungunya-positive mothers may exhibit hyperpigmentation, a known symptom of the illness.