Overnight showers in the national Capital and prediction of more rain are not good news for Delhiites with experts warning that the dengue situation might worsen.
Concerened by the situation, the Centre on Saturday issued a fresh advisory to the Delhi Government to “intensify” measures to check the breeding of mosquitoes. Till going to the Press, the dengue death toll has reached 25 with five more deaths reported on Saturday.
“In view of rain and forecast by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), there is a possibility of water stagnation in containers and disposed of plastic and junk material, giving rise to breeding of aedes mosquitoes. It is advised that the vector-control measures need to be intensified to contain the problem of dengue. You are requested to instruct all officials and departments concerned to intensify the efforts,” said the advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry.
According to experts, the aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus to humans, breeds in clean water and the showers might lead to water accumulation on rooftops, and other spots.
“When intermittent rain take place, common diseases which pose risk to people are dengue, malaria and chikungunia. At a time when hospitals are already grappling with shortage of beds with more patients approaching them for treatment for dengue, it might be an alarming situation,” a senior doctor at AIIMS said.
Another doctor at RMl Hospital shared his concern, calling upon the civic bodies to be more efficient in ensuring that water doesn’t collect at places. “This is really a matter of concern as already hospitals are flooded with patients and health centres are groaning with shortages of beds, people have to be sensitised too. Also MCD should check mosquito breeding at the sensitive places,” he said.
“Civic bodies will have to intensify checking of mosquito breeding grounds as puddles near houses and office buildings are major risks,” he added.
According to MCD officials, they have been regularly sending people from door-to-door for the mosquito breeding checks.
“If there is any collection of water anywhere, we will step up our measures there. The residents should also take precautions,” they said.
Charan Singh, Nodal Officer said, “To tackle this issue door-to-door awareness campaign and active volunteer participation is necessary and there is need to take on board NGOs too for the purpose. The approach has to be wholesome to tackle the menace”.
Those who succumbed to dengue are Mohommad Shahnawaz (11) who was admitted on September 17; Kiran Kumari (12) from Nangloi was admitted on September 17 and died on the same day; Rahisha (37) was admitted on September 11 and died on September 17; Harish Chauhan, 38 who was admitted on September 18 and Savita Devi (51) admitted on September 14 and died on September 19.
Three deaths occurred in Ram Manohar lohia while one each in Batra hospital and Roop Rani Maggo hospital Janakpuri. Till now, there are 939 suspected dengue cases in Ram Manohar lohia out of which 547 have been confirmed.
Facing criticism for failing to control the situation, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had reached out to the Opposition parties seeking their suggestions to deal with the crisis.
The Union Health Ministry said that around 12 advisories have already been issued from March until August this year pertaining to dengue, including an advisory by Health Minister JP Nadda to all the State Chief Ministers in April, 2015.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and, hence, this advisory has been issued in the wake of the fresh spell of rain. The Ministry has been extending the required technical and financial support and assistance to the states to manage dengue and will continue to do so in order to strengthen them to address the recent upsurge,” Nadda said.
The Ministry had earlier directed all hospitals under Central Government to not deny treatment to any patient suffering from fever or suspected dengue and has asked hospitals to increase their bed strength to accommodate more patients.
The Ministry also asked the Delhi Government to take action against any over-charging by private hospitals in treating dengue patients. Also, the Delhi Government has been asked to expeditiously increase the bed strength at State hospitals for dengue patients, the official statement said.
After the latest casualties, the Delhi Government approved nearly 800 additional beds at 48 private hospitals.