The vector borne disease is beginning to haunt the capital which is seeing a surge in new cases daily. In the initial stages of the outbreak, the spread of the fever was in control, but lately there has been a spurt in the number of cases, with 18-20 infections emerging with each passing day.
What is cause for concern is that the number of dengue cases is much higher than what is reported. Many cases go undiagnosed without proper treatment as most of those infected do not go to hospital for screening.
An official of Dr. Dang's, a pathological laboratory, declared, “All the numbers that the MCD has been quoting is only of those cases which have been confirmed in government hospitals. But if you go to any private hospital you will see that they are choc-a-bloc with dengue affected patients.”
In addition, dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), both severe forms of the ailment which are virulent in nature, have also been observed among patients.
Preventive measures intensified
Dengue is a recurring disease in Delhi, which makes an appearance after the monsoons when stagnant water and pollution are commonplace. Last year, more than a I,000 cases were detected.
In an effort to combat the disease, the administration has started taking preventive measures for further breakout of the disease.
Awareness programs have begun, and the civic authorities have undertaken spraying campaigns and door-to-door checks to stop mosquito breeding.
“We have intensified measures to prevent spread of the disease and are continuing with fogging operations in various areas. Last year we received more than double the number of cases that we have reported this year and it has been noticed that in October the number of dengue cases goes up in the city.
"But with the temperature falling, the situation should improve by mid-November,” said Municipal Health Officer N. K. Yadav.
The chief Minister of Delhi, Shiela Dixit, stressed that infected cases must have access to immediate treatment under the supervision of physicians.
“All government hospitals in Delhi have been asked to get ready for treatment of dengue patients. There is no shortage of platelets in hospitals and medical staff is on alert to start treatment,” Dikshit said.
More about dengue
Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. Symptoms appear 3-14 days after a bite from an infected mosquito.
The ailment is characterized by high fever, vomiting, headache, acute pain in the joints and skin rash. There is no specific treatment for dengue, and timely medical intervention can save the lives of patients with the more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever.
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