Sangrur/Barnala, Nov. 28 -- Barnala and Sangrur are the worst-hit districts for chikungunya cases in the state, with totals reaching 116 and 115, respectively, since July this year according to state health department data. Over 500 chikungunya cases have been reported in the state so far. Last year, Punjab reported only 224 cases of chikungunya. Besides this, the state recorded four deaths due to dengue out of over 4,600 cases reported in the state till date. Last year this number was 6,260. Barnala district epidemiologist Dr Munish said that the district has recorded 210 cases of dengue from 1,617 samples till date. Sangrur recorded 82 dengue positive cases from 3,290 samples collected. However, Sangrur civil surgeon Dr Amarjit Kaur said that the current situation is under control. She added that a chikungunya outbreak was reported from the Sunam area, a few months ago. As per the information from experts, chikungunya and dengue are mosquito-borne diseases that occur with similar symptoms, including high fever and joint pain while the joint pain and high-grade fever are typically more in chikungunya. But dengue is considered more dangerous and can be fatal. Both diseases occur after heavy rainfall, which leads to stagnant water and allows the mosquito larvae to grow. Sources who pleaded anonymity stated that the health officials are told to hide the number of the positive cases of chikungunya to avoid the negative image at the state level and to avoid panic. Jasbir Aulakh, the retired deputy director of malaria in the state health department stated that there seems to be lack of coordination between the government departments as local bodies are supposed to go for fogging regularly....