Amid a significant 55% increase in chikungunya cases this year, the health department plans to conduct genomic sequencing of samples to detect potential mutations. Uncommon symptoms including hyperpigmentation and neurological issues have arisen. In response to the nearly 55% surge in cases of chikungunya fever this year compared to the previous year, the health department has chosen to carry out genomic sequencing on select positive samples to identify any genetic mutations in the virus. State health officials stated that new symptoms such as hyperpigmentation and neurological problems (swelling in the brain or heart tissues) are not truly new but are extremely rare occurrences. Dr. Mahendra Jagtap, the joint director of the vector control program, explained that these symptoms might manifest if a chikungunya patient is co-infected with dengue or Japanese encephalitis. These symptoms were outlined in guidelines released by the Central Health Ministry last year. A rapid action team has been assembled by the state to investigate the reasons for the uptick in chikungunya cases from 1,702 cases in 2023 to 2,643 cases in 2024 thus far. Within Greater Mumbai, chikungunya cases have escalated from double digits to 256 cases by September 7. The rapid action team, meeting for the first time recently, has provided directives to municipal and taluka-level officials on which samples to forward to both the National Institute of Virology and B J Medical College in Pune for further analysis. According to the guidelines, two blood samples from patients displaying neurological symptoms like paralysis and hyperpigmentation should be collected and dispatched to the Pune institutes. A senior state official explained that the objective is to investigate the presence of any other neurotropic viruses in chikungunya patients and to perform genomic sequencing. Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte from B J Medical College mentioned that genomic sequencing will help identify potential mutations."We will prioritize sequencing once we receive sufficient samples, particularly from patients in the intensive care unit or with severe symptoms," he stated. Private sector doctors in the city reported a significant increase in chikungunya cases this year, with some patients requiring hospitalization to manage high fever for 10 to 15 days and deal with neurological complications. Children have also been significantly impacted this year, with an eight-month-old boy being admitted to SRCC Children's Hospital in Haji Ali in early August. Dr. Bhupendra Avasthi, a pediatrician at Surya Children's Hospital in Santa Cruz, noted that children born to chikungunya-positive mothers exhibit hyperpigmentation as a symptom. "However, hyperpigmentation is a known symptom of chikungunya," he explained.