Indian badminton star HS Prannoy has announced a break from the sport to fully recover from chikungunya, a viral disease that affected his performance at the Paris Olympics. Prannoy, a 2022 Thomas Cup winner and medallist in world and Asian Games, experienced a week-long bout of the disease just before the Olympics, leaving him with persistent pain. He will miss upcoming tournaments to prioritize his recovery.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has called on state governments to increase Zika virus testing, particularly for patients who test negative for dengue and chikungunya fever. This comes as India experiences a surge in Zika cases, with Maharashtra reporting a significant number of infections. The ICMR emphasizes the importance of enhanced surveillance and testing, noting the prevalence of Zika virus across the country, particularly in light of the Asian lineage of the virus currently in circulation.
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