Four more people, including the son of a senior officer of Income-Tax Department, have succumbed to dengue in the national Capital. With these deaths the deadly vector-borne disease has claimed at least 38 lives and infected more than 6,000 patients.
The other three dengue deaths have been reported at Centre-run hospital on Tuesday. According to a senior doctor at Ram Manohar lohia (RMl) hospital, the deceased were Chanchal (8), Gagan (13) and Sharda (35). While Chanchal belonged to Mathura, Gagan was from Karol Bagh in Central Delhi. Sharda, the fourth victim, was a resident of Sagarpur in South West Delhi.
Another victim Shev Bhatnagar, who was admitted in a private hospital, was a student of Class X Sanskrit School, Chanakyapuri, and resident of Kakanagar.
“Shiv was a bright and adorable child full of fun and mischief. He contributed substantially to any discussion in class,” said school principal Abha Sahgal.
According to available data with the hospital, RMl has recorded about 1,019 confirmed dengue cases. In the past 24 hours, the hospital has received 1,104 fever cases.
A senior Delhi Government official told The Pioneer, “This year’s dengue epidemic has surpassed the data of previous dengue outbreaks which hit the national Capital in 2006 and 2010.”
Meanwhile, looking at the rampant dengue cases in Delhi, the State Health Department has issued orders to distribute mosquito repellent free of cost to the patients who are visiting Delhi Government hospitals for the dengue treatment.
A senior Government official said, “Patients would be given odomos mosquito repellent for protection from the deadly disease.”
Till today, India is hit by Den 1, Den 2, Den 3 and Den 4 viruses. According to a test conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ (AIIMS) Microbiology Department’s virology laboratory, an apex laboratory of the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, two of the most virulent strains of Den 1 and Den 4 are spreading in Delhi this year.
Dengue is caused by four serotypes. While types 1 and 3 are mild as they cause dengue fever and fever without shock, whereas type 2 and 4 lead to bleeding and a drop in platelet count and thus are considered deadly. These are the ones circulating this year in the city.
