With 128 new chikungunya cases, the number of people infected with vector-borne disease has reached at 560 in the national Capital, the municipal corporation said on Monday in its weekly report. However, doctors expressed surprise at the figure claiming that the exact numbers would be in thousands.
According to the municipal data, last week 284 dengue cases have been reported in Delhi while 269 are from neighbouring States. Out of 284 new dengue cases, North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) reported 65 cases, SDMC 138 whereas EDMC recorded 46. According to the corporation official, all measures are being taken by the civic body to prevent dengue menace.
A 25-year-old woman has become the latest victim of dengue in Delhi taking number of fatalities from vector-borne disease, even as the number of people testing positive for it crossed 770 this season.
According to a municipal report released, 771 cases were reported till September 3, marking a rise of nearly 60 per cent from the count last week.
Talking to The Pioneer, Dr Atul Kakar, Vice chairman of Internal Medicine at Sir Gangaram Hospital said, “At our hospital, we have come across 200 chikungunya patients and few dengue patients this time. I am surprised to know the municipal figures on chikungunya. Numbers could be even more.” A huge spike in chikungunya cases were also traced at Safdarjung Hospital. Dr AK Rai, medical superintendent at Safdarjung Hospital said, “Chikungunya numbers are high. We have reported 451 cases so far, with 309 dengue patients.”
Dr Damanjit Chaddha, who heads the internal medicine department at Fortis Hospital (Vasant Kunj) said that this season, they have seen more than 100 chikungunya patients. “Daily we are witnessing 10-15 patients suffering from the disease,” he said.
Apollo Hospital, also confirmed more than 500 chikungunya cases this season. Dr Suranjeet Chatterjee, HoD at Internal Medicine, said that more than 500 patients suffering from the vector-borne disease have been reported in Apollo Hospital alone.
Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association (IMA) warned that chikungunya virus (CHIKV) can cause CHIKV-associated encephalitis. One can detect CHIKV RNA or anti-CHIKV immunoglobulin M in cerebrospinal fluid, said Dr K K Aggarwal National President Elect IMA.