Dengue bite gets deadlier, now takes doctors in its clutch

Dengue bite has got deadlier in Delhi, as the disease has taken a dozen doctors and two patients at the Capital's Safdarjung Hospital in its grip. Meanwhile, with two more deaths, the toll has gone up to 27.

Breeding grounds

The worrying factor is that Safdarjung is not the only hospital. Breeding of dengue mosquitoes has been found at almost all the city's central government hospitals, including AIIMS, RML and Lady Hardinge. Incidentally, civic authorities had issued notices to these institutions but to no avail. As a result, thousands of patients, doctors and other medical staff are now in the risk zone.

"This is due to the lack of proper fumigation on the hospital campus. The two patients were admitted to the orthopaedics department where they later tested positive for dengue. A dozen doctors are also in its clutch," a senior Safdarjung Hospital doctor told Mail Today.

On Monday, two more persons - Shivam Dubey (14) from West Delhi and Ram Babu (24) from East Delhi - died at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, respectively. The death count has gone up to 27. "In the last 24 hours, the number of people with fever and dengue symptoms has increased. This is perhaps on account of the light rain in the city on Monday," a senior health department official said.

Fever cases

According to doctors at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, almost 200 people sought treatment for fever over the last 24 hours. Out of them, three tested positive for dengue.

Similarly, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital reported 507 suspected dengue cases and 24 positive ones. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital recorded 1,065 likely dengue cases and 748 confirmed cases.

The emergency ward at AIIMS also received almost 2,000 doubtful dengue cases. According to official data released on Monday, dengue has affected 3,791 people till September 19.

Meanwhile, as hospitals remain chock-a-block with dengue patients, both the central and Delhi governments are putting in efforts to contain the disease in the city, which is facing its worst outbreak in the past six years.

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung held a high-level meeting on Tuesday and instructed senior officials of the Delhi administration to battle dengue on a war footing. The officer said he would conduct surprise checks. He directed the health department to ensure that hospitals, clinics and laboratories do not turn away any critically ill dengue patient.

In another development, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij blamed Delhi for the outbreak of the disease which has also spread in cities of the neighbouring state.

"Residents of Gurgaon have been infected with dengue due to the city's proximity to the national Capital. We are trying to manage the situation," Vij said.

The health department of Gurgaon has purchased 10 new fumigation machines to cover maximum localities. It is also providing a platelet unit for Rs 400 to those patients who come with donors.

(In association with Mail Today)