In spite of vaccinations, the breaking out of chicken pox has rung alarm bells in most districts of UP. The situation is so serious that in the first four months of the year, some 38 people have lost their lives to the scourge with 700 patients presently under treatment in the state. Medical authorities blame the frequent changes in weather for the increasing incidence of chicken pox. According to director-general, Health Services, UP, Dr Rajinder Kumar, in spite of vaccination, chicken pox and khasra could not be completely contained. In addition to vaccination, maintenance of complete cleanliness and hygienic conditions was absolutely necessary. In Ghaziabad district also, the incidence of chicken pox and measles is rapidly increasing with 100 patients affected by it. In areas adjoining Delhi like Vasundhra, Indirapuram, Kaushambi, Vaishali, Surya Nagar, Chandra Nagar, Prahlad Garhi, Shahid Nagar, the number of patients of chicken pox and measles is also rising. According to communicable disease cell, chicken pox and khasra have assumed a very serious proportion with over 700 patients under treatment and 38 persons having lost their lives in the first four months in 2008 in Uttar Pradesh. Dr Kumar, however, said chicken pox and measles are not fatal diseases as such, but when it leads to pneumonia, high fever, and similar symptoms, it can turn into a fatal malady. Mostly the patients who succumb to it are children, the D-G, Health Services, said. But according to unofficial sources, however, the figures of dead and patients of chicken pox and measles are many times higher than the figures dished out by the health authorities.