The Capital, which is witnessing its worst dengue crisis in five years, has recorded 2,191 positive dengue cases this week alone with the total number of cases till now recorded at 5,982 and 17 deaths, as per official data released by the health authorities here on Monday.
The last surge in 2010 saw 6,259 cases and eight deaths due to dengue till the end of the year. September has registered 5,151 cases so far. The city had reported three dengue cases in April 4, in May 6, in June; 36 in July and 778 in August.
So far, North Delhi Municipal Corporation has reported 1,734 cases, South 1,633, East 754 and the New Delhi Municipal Council 136.
Dengue is an infection caused by the mosquito, Aedes aegypti which is the primary epidemic vector. Dengue infection may occur in the form of classical dengue fever or dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) with bleeding manifestations or with or without shock (decreased blood pressure).
Doctors warn that actual numbers of dengue could be much higher than what is being officially stated.
“We know that unofficially the death due to dengue is over 30. Hospitals (both government and private) have witnessed a sharp rise in the number of cases seeking treatment for dengue or coming in with symptoms of dengue,’’ said a resident doctor at Safdarjung Hospital.
He added that the out patient departments and fever wards were packed to capacity.
“On an average, we are getting 400 plus patients,” said doctors at Lok Nayak Hospital adding that 90 per cent of cases of fever coming now are turning out to be positive for dengue. Hospitals including Lal Bahadur Shastri, Guru Teg Bahardur hospitals, etc, have also reported a rush of people with dengue symptoms.
Senior health officials in the Delhi Government noted that with the drop in temperature they are hoping that the situation will improve. “As of now, hospitals are packed and we are getting a lot of cases. We have put in place all measures to ensure that quality treatment is given to all,” he said.
Earlier, the city had reported 1,919 new cases marking a rise of over 102 per cent compared to late August and early September. The corporation officials had noted that they had intensified fogging across Delhi as fresh showers have stoked fears of dengue cases flaring up. The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to Delhi government to “intensify” measures to check the breeding of mosquitoes.
