Another dengue death in Delhi, toll now 13

New Delhi -- A girl from Meerut died of dengue at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), taking the death toll from the viral disease to 13 even as 87 fresh cases were reported in various hospitals of the Indian capital.

The number of reported dengue cases stands at 584.

In view of the rising dengue cases and the death of a student from within AIIMS, most AIIMS students have vacated their hostel rooms. The hospital has also postponed its semester examination for medical students.

Fourteen-year-old Reshma of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, was brought to AIIMS Tuesday in a serious condition. "She had very high fever and was very serious when admitted," said D.K. Sharma, medical superintendent, AIIMS. She died of complications later.

The hospital reported 29 fresh cases Wednesday, including three from within AIIMS, taking to 72 the total number of patients there.

"Of the 26 patients from outside the hospital, most are from Delhi and nearby areas," said Anil Sharma, general secretary of the resident doctors association.

The hospital has discharged three people since Tuesday. Around 21 of the patients are from AIIMS itself, including medical students, resident doctors and other staff.

A seventh semester student of AIIMS died of the disease on Saturday.

"We have postponed the semester exam of medical students that was scheduled for the middle of this month after being requested so by the medical students," said Sharma.

Sharma said the hospital had cancelled the leave of resident doctors and they had been asked to report for duty immediately. "We want to be on full strength to meet any eventuality. There should be no shortage of staff," he added.