When Delhi is battling with spike in chikungunya and dengue cases, thousands of fever patients have flocked hospitals in Noida complaining of severe body ache and high temperature daily. Doctors in Government hospitals claimed that they attend over 5,000 patients suffering from viral fever daily.
Over 150 cases have been diagnosed with chikengunya in Noida so far, they said, adding the number of cases could be higher if the patients of the private hospitals are included
However, the district heath department maintained that eight chikungunya and 10 dengue positive patients were confirmed in Noida so far.
Private hospitals refused to share number of chikungunya and dengue cases as they say that the health department has given strict instructions not to reveal any information to the media.
Dr HM lavania, senior pathologist, district hospital said that though chikungunya is not dangerous, this year saw higher number of chikungunya cases as compared to dengue. "We test 500 patients having symptoms of high fever and severe joint pain daily. Total 174 cases of chikungunya have been tested and out of them four were found confirmed in the district hospital. Meanwhile, 210 patents have been tested for dengue and one is positive," he said.
"Doctors recommend chikungunya test to patient who was under prolonged fever for at least five days as it could be only detected after this period. Most of the patents are being treated and recover earlier with medicines. We are providing all facilities for chikungunya and dengue patients in the hospital," he added.
Meanwhile, district magistrate NP Singh directed the health department to provide facilities to the patients with increasing beds, doctors and medicines. The civic authority is also on alert for cleaning and fogging in rural belt as viral fever is spreading in the villages due to waterlogging, garbage and contamination.
The private hospitals have also increased the numbers beds. "We have increased 300 more beds in our hospital. The patients of viral fever including chikungunya and dengue are packed in the hospital," said Dr VB Josi, Public Relation officer, Kailash Hospital, Noida.