Rumours claim Chikungunya spread from consignments imported into India

Chennai:

If rumours are to be believed Chikungunya virus, which disappeared from India after 1973, re-emerged in 2005 through the consignments from Africa that have been imported without any proper checks and fumigation, sources said.

Highlighting lack of proper checks by regional plant quarantine organization, it is revealed the bribe amount by the officials varied according to the consignments. For example, a container of fruits to get a clearance could cost an importer additional Rs 6,000. And these could be imported without any tests.

Sources said that officials turn a blind eye and hardly take samples from the container for conducting tests in laboratory. It is believed that the mandatory certificate for import is issued by the authority concerned once the amount is paid.

CBI was said to be pursuing such information wherein the certificates were issued soon after the consignments arrived in the City. A dossier containing the details on as how much bribe was paid to which official on a daily and weekly basis was seized from one of the official’s house.