Dengue cases in Delhi cross the 1,000 mark

The gradual rise of dengue cases in Delhi only a month before the Commonwealth Games has triggered panic in both the local authorities and athletes.

In the last 12 years, dengue cases have never crossed the 1,000 mark by this time of the year.

With 77 new cases surfacing on Wednesday, the official figure for the number of patients suffering from the disease has climbed to 1,014 which is more than nine times regular levels.

According to sources, Government and private hospitals in the city are admitting nearly 10 cases of suspected dengue on a daily basis.

However, the current dengue virus infection is benign, which is evident from low mortality in comparison to earlier years.

Fatality rate due to early detection and proper management of cases is extremely low. Only 3 deaths have been to date.

"The disease peaks during mid-September and October. We are expecting a surge in the number of dengue cases. This year we are likely to report more cases than what was reported in 2006," said Dr V K Monga, chairman, health committee, MCD.

Extensive efforts underway to control dengue
The pressure to control this outbreak and control the panic being spread by the sudden surge in the number of cases is mounting on local health authorities.

The civic authorities are on their toes to curb the mosquito menace by undertaking extensive efforts “which include source reduction, anti-larval measures using temephos etc. and fogging.”

The stringent measures employed for mosquito control has exhibited a downward trend in central and south zones of Delhi.

“The joint close monitoring by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) in and around CWG stadia has shown drastic reduction in mosquito breeding,” an official statement from the health ministry said Tuesday.

Some new measures
In a novel technique, the railways with help from the civic authorities have started fogging along the railways track to eradicate potential breeding grounds of the pesky insects.

The MCD also has now sought public participation. The civic body, along with voluntary organization 'Let's Do It Delhi,' on Tuesday announced a `Clean Delhi Challenge' to be held on September 11.

In addition, both govt. and private hospitals are fully equipped for early diagnose and treatment of cases.

A review on 28 August 2010 at AIIMS, New Delhi revealed that the entire system was fully prepared to tackle any future need of platelets in case of emergency.

"Now, we are prepared to handle any situation. At present, we have 16 confirmed dengue patients admitted in AIIMS. The situation is now under control," said Dr Y K Gupta, AIIMS spokesperson.