With 34 deaths and more than 6,000 reported cases, the dengue outbreak being faced by Delhi has now become the worst of the last ten years. In 2006 dengue outbreak, around 3613 dengue cases were reported in the whole year. This year’s figures have already crossed that threshold.
According to the Municipal Corporation’s data, as many as 511 fresh dengue cases were reported last week taking the total number of dengue cases 5982. The latest dengue victim was Sonu (38) who died due to dengue at Bara Hindu Rao hospital.
Delhi had faced a severe dengue outbreak in 1996 when the deadly vector-borne disease had claimed more than 400 lives and over 6,000 people were infected by it. Dengue, a viral and deadly disease, is caused by tiny blood-sucking irritant called aedes mosquito. As per municipal norms, only ElISA test confirmed cases are taken in the official death count.
While, in 2006, over 50 dengue deaths were reported as compared to this year’s official figure of 34 dengue deaths. However, experts claim that even more than 60 patients have died if we tally the figures each from Government and private hospitals across the National Capital, as many deaths go unreported. Also, with the peak period of the outbreak, that is September end and October first week, having just arrived, the numbers are expected to further increase.
last Thursday, the municipal run Bara Hindu Rao hospital reported one new dengue death. Till now, three patients have succumbed due to the deadly disease in the hospital and 436 dengue patients are still admitted. Since 15th August, over 759 patients have been confirmed dengue positive in this hospital. In the past 24 hours, hospital has admitted 122 fever patients.
The city’s lok Nayak Hospital, has also witnessed 11 dengue deaths this season. The hospital official told The Pioneer, “In the past 24 hours, 20 new dengue admissions have taken place. So far, 11 deaths have happened due to dengue with 519 patients have been confirmed to have dengue till date.” In the OPD, 663 fever patients were treated, out of which 103 have been admitted as suspected dengue patients, he added.
On Sunday, at lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital about 1400 fever suspected patients were consulted and on Monday 24 new dengue patients were given admission, said hospital official.
Meanwhile, the Centre-run RMl hospital has reported more than 1,200 suspected dengue cases till date with about 1000 confirmed dengue patients. So far, RMl hospital has witnessed eight deaths.
While, scenario is same in every Government and private hospitals, the dedicated fever clinics for dengue-suspected patients are running in full capacity. Even, doctors are giving their extra time to consult the fever patients.