Seasonal diseases grip Delhi

October 16, 2013 09:34 am | Updated November 16, 2021 11:46 pm IST - NEW DELHI:

Municipal corporations in the Capital are undertaking fumigation drives to check mosquito breeding. File Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Municipal corporations in the Capital are undertaking fumigation drives to check mosquito breeding. File Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

The mild temperature and intermittent rain have led to Delhi facing its worst ‘disease phase’ this season. The Delhi Government’s Health Department has confirmed five deaths due to dengue and over 3,500 registered dengue cases in the city till now.

With officials claiming that the numbers are only rising, questions are being asked if Delhi hospitals are ready for the large number of patients.

Besides the confirmed deaths due to dengue, Delhi has also reported six suspected dengue deaths.

The Capital had witnessed a large a number of dengue cases in 2010, with over 6,000 patients at various hospitals.

In 2008, over 1,300 cases were registered; 1,153 in 2009; over 1,100 in 2011; and 2,093 last year.

“The weather that the city is experiencing now is ideal for dengue and malaria. We are seeing a large number of patients with fever (induced by throat and stomach infection) and there is a rise in the number of eye infections. Delhi is also seeing aggressive viral fever which lasts for more than three days and is accompanied by body aches and even cough and cold,” said Delhi Medical Association member Dr. Anil Bansal.

He added that children and the elderly are the most susceptible to these ailments and in case of fever, especially among this category, doctor’s advice should be sought immediately.

“Self-medication and delay in going to the doctor are harmful and can actually lead to more complications than necessary. In case of dengue and malaria it is important that the patient seeks and remains under constant medical care,” he added.

According to the latest figures released by various civic bodies, so far 1,621 cases have been reported from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, 981 from South DMC and 773 from East DMC.

Apart from these, 72 cases were reported from regions outside the jurisdiction of the MCD and 30 cases from other category. A total of 37 cases have come in from other States.

Rohini Zone has registered 749 cases (which is the highest in the city), Shahdara (North) and Shahdara (South) Zones both saw close to 400 cases. Najafgarh (304), Civil Lines (295), Narela (274) and Karol Bagh (257) also posted over high figures. September saw a total of 1,962 cases, the highest for a month this year, while October has seen 1,395 cases.

Sixty-two malaria cases were reported in September and this month five confirmed cases have come to light.

Mosquito breeding was found in 1,56,331 households so far as against 91,417 last year for the same period. Number of prosecution launched so far is 20,575 compared with 5,865 last year for the same period.

“The corporation workers are doing fumigation and checking mosquito breeding across the city, besides carrying out the awareness drive. Efforts are also being made to ensure that the general public is educated about the fact that swift medical attention is required in case a person is showing symptoms of dengue,” said a senior health official.

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