Dengue fever infects 280 in Delhi

A 15-year-old boy was the first victim who succumbed to the vector-borne disease on Oct. 23 while the second casualty was that of a nine-year-old boy who fell prey to the disease Monday.

In the 280 positive cases reported so far in the capital, 193 are from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) area, 60 from New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), while the remaining are from Delhi Cantt and the suburban areas.

According to health officials, the regions hit hard are Kidwai Nagar, Church Colony in central zone, and Tughlaqabad zone.

Although the sudden surge in positive cases is a cause for concern, the civic authorities state that the situation is under control and there is no need for panic.

According to them, the figures are much lower than the previous year when the capital recorded 1,321 cases and two fatalities from the ailment.

N.K. Yadav, chief medical officer of the MCD stated, “Looking at the previous year’s statistics, this year we have fewer dengue cases. However we are not taking any chances and taking all precautionary measures to spread awareness amongst people to stop the breeding of mosquitoes and thus the spread of the disease.”

Precautionary measures undertaken
The disease starts in the fall season when the temperature is ideal, and the muddy and stagnant water pits available provide the best breeding places for mosquitoes.

Prevention is the only answer for this gripping disease. Authorities caution the public to cover legs and arms to avoid mosquito bites. They are stepping up public cleanliness and are educating people via media about the do’s and dont’s of dengue.

Teams from the health department are intensifying their efforts to destroy the mosquito breeding sites by fumigation.

Delhi Health Secretary J.P. Singh said, “All necessary measures are in place to check the spread of dengue in capital. Around 60,000 houses have been covered with spray and municipal workers are visiting houses to check domestic breeding.”

He added, “People should avoid accumulation of water around their houses and cover their water tanks so that there is no scope for mosquitoes to breed. They should take all possible measures to overcome any possible threat of dengue.”

More about dengue
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted by the bite of an Aedesmosquito that is infected with any one of the four dengue viruses.

The disease is manifested by a sudden onset of fever, with severe headache, muscle and joint pains. There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue but it is vital to maintain hydration.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a lethal complication that affects mainly children, and causes bleeding, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Although the mortality rate of dengue hemorrhagic fever is as high as 44 percent, less than one percent who contract dengue fever die.