Malacca: Some 516 people had come down with the Chikungunya virus beginning this year till Oct 18.

State Women's Affairs, Family Development and Health committee chairman Norpipah Abdol said that the virus was detected only in June where infections peaked before tapering off by early Oct.

Of the total, she said that 226 cases were detected in Melaka Tengah, 63 in Alor Gajah and 272 in Jasin.

The epidemic was first discovered by the Health Ministry in Johor early this year before it spread to the entire state and Negeri Sembilan.

It was detected here in Jasin district in June this year where it later spread to Melaka Tengah and Alor Gajah districts, she said when replying to a question raised by Betty Chew (DAP-Kota Laksamana) during the state legislative assembly sitting on state budget recently. She denied the oppositions claim that the health authorities were slow in carrying out fogging operations in affected areas during the dengue menace.

She said that some of the victims had gone to private hospitals and clinics to seek treatment and information with regards to it took some time to reach the health authorities.

She said the authorities here had taken steps to overcome the menace including placing posters and banners throughout the state to educate members of the public.