Amid a 55% increase in chikungunya cases this year, the health department is planning to perform genomic sequencing on samples in order to identify potential mutations. Uncommon symptoms like hyperpigmentation and neurological issues have been observed. Officials in Mumbai have noted a nearly 55% rise in chikungunya cases this year compared to last year and are initiating genomic sequencing on select positive samples to search for genetic changes in the virus. They have clarified that unusual symptoms like hyperpigmentation and neurological problems are rare and may occur in chikungunya patients with co-infections like dengue or Japanese encephalitis, as indicated in guidelines from the previous year. A rapid action team has been established to investigate the reason for the rise in chikungunya cases from 1,702 in 2023 to 2,643 in 2024 so far. This team has issued guidelines for officials at the civic and regional levels on sending samples for further analysis to the National Institute of Virology and B J Medical College in Pune. The guidelines specify that two blood samples from patients displaying neurological symptoms such as paralysis and hyperpigmentation should be collected and sent to the Pune institutes. The objective is to discover potential neurotropic viruses in chikungunya patients and perform genomic sequencing. Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte from B J Medical College emphasized that genomic sequencing will be instrumental in identifying any mutations in the virus."Once we have enough samples, especially from patients in the intensive care unit or with severe symptoms, we will start sequencing the virus," the doctor mentioned. Private hospitals in the city reported a significant increase in chikungunya cases this year, some leading to hospitalizations due to high fever lasting 10 to 15 days and neurological complications. Children have also been affected, with an eight-month-old boy recently admitted to SRCC Children's Hospital in Haji Ali. At Surya Children's Hospital in Santa Cruz, Dr. Bhupendra Avasthi noted that children born to chikungunya-positive mothers may exhibit hyperpigmentation, a known symptom of the disease."