Delhi reels as dengue count shoots up to 352
POSTED October 31, 2009 - 08:06 | POSTED BY Jyoti Pal
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on October 31, 2009 - 11:55
Put together, Delhi and the NCR region have reported 352 dengue cases so far.
The preponderance of dengue has been in Shahdara North and Central Delhi. Areas around AIIMS like Kidwai Nagar, Church colony in central zone and Tughlaqabad are amongst the worst hit.
Spike in recent weeks
The worrisome factor is that the number of infections have spiked in the last few weeks.
"At present, 60% of our OPD rush is due to dengue and malaria patients. We have close to 20 patients admitted. The numbers have drastically shot up in the last three weeks,'' said Dr SP Byotra, chairperson, Internal Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Situation under control
The recent jump in dengue cases notwithstanding, the municipal corporation of Delhi (MCD) has claimed that mosquito breeding is very much under control.
The spread of dengue till about the same time last year was harsher and more threatening, claims the MCD. Till the end of October last year, 1,065 positive cases of dengue had been reported vis-à-vis the 352 reported this year.
"This year, we didn't have a good monsoon and after rain, the temperature shot up. As a result, we didn't see much breeding,” said Dr NK Yadav, medical health officer, MCD.
“Moreover, we were well-prepared to handle dengue and our domestic breeding checkers have been taking rounds of their respective areas since May,'' assured Yadav.
Low platelet count observed
High fever and low platelet count are the common symptoms of dengue.
"In some cases, specially in children, the platelets have dropped to as low as 6,000-10,000. These patients have to be given platelets,'' said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, director and head of the department, Paediatrics, Rockland Hospital.
As a practice, the MCD accepts a case of dengue if the patient tests positive for Immunoglobulin (IgM).
Dr Virender Anand, senior consultant, Internal Medicine, Moolchand Medcity, however, claims that immediate medication is a must.
"IgM comes positive after six-seven days and one can't wait that long. We are giving them platelets and have started the treatment,'' Dr Anand said.
People advised to avoid self medication, report early
People are visiting hospitals after prolonged illnesses. Worse still, some of the patients have been on self-medication that has resulted in complications as some analgesics lead to breakdown of platelets.
"A lot of patients have been taking Ibroprofen or nimesulide before coming to us. People should not take analgesics on their own. One should see a doctor if high-grade fever continues for more than 24 hours, specially in children,'' advises Dr Bagai.
