Already struggling with vector borne diseases, the city hospitals have registered a sharp rise in cases of viral fever with almost 50 per cent rise in such cases in fortnight, doctors said. Following the rise in such cases, doctors have advised people to avoid crowded places in order to avoid the contagious disease.

Dr Atul Kakar, Vice Chairman, Department of Medicine, Sir Gangaram Hospital said this respiratory virus is highly contagious but can be avoided. “This virus can be avoided by avoiding overcrowded places. You should also maintain distance from people who are already down with the virus,” he said.

He further said coughing or sneezing are some of the common symptoms and carriers of this virus.

According to Kakar the virus can be avoided by taking influenza vaccine but only in some cases. “Influenza vaccine is a common vaccine that is given to patients prone to the viruses. We generally give these vaccines to patients suffering with diabetes and also to the pregnant women,” said Dr Kakar. The vaccine is also given to the people above 50 years of age as they are very prone to common cold and cough, he added further.

With vector borne diseases already on rise, the virus infections have risen by more than 50 per cent, he said. “In the last 10 days, my OPD has seen a significant rise in the number of patients coming with viral infections. At least 50 per cent rise is there,” said Dr Kakar. The situation with other hospitals should not be very different, he added.

As far as vector borne diseases are concerned, with 58 fresh cases of malaria reported in the national Capital in August, the total number of people affected by the vector-borne diseases in the city this season has reached to 277.