from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Sep 24: Two samples of suspected chikunguniya sent from Goa to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) here have tested positive, health officials said today.

"Of the total of 26 samples sent to NIV in the past six months, two have tested positive. Both cases are from Chimbel locality near Panaji," an official said.

The outbreak of the disease in neighbouring Karnataka has raised alarm in this western state.

"Both the cases trace their roots to Haveri district in Karnataka. They got this virus from Karnataka," Dipak Kabadi, Deputy Director of health services, stated.

However, he said there is no cause for panic as the disease is not fatal and the state government has initiated steps to arrest its spread.

"We initiated precautionary measures much before the blood samples were taken. No fresh cases were reported from these areas. We are keeping an eye on all possible chikungunya-afflicted areas," Kabadi said.