Worst Dengue Outbreak: Over 12,000 Positive Cases, Death Toll Rises To 32

The number of dengue cases in the National Capital have crossed 12,000 mark, the highest since 1996.

A total of 12,020 cases had been registered in Delhi as of October 15, with 10,191 patients have contracted dengue in Delhi and 1,829 in other States.

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Dengue is a tropical disease caused by mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, joint & muscle ache, fatigue, nausea and skin rash.

As per the data by the municipal corporations, 1,337 dengue cases have been recorded from October 11 to 15. This year the death toll due to dengue is 32. In 1996, a total of 10, 253 people had been infected with dengue and 423 had died from the disease.

The highest number of dengue cases are reported in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Najafgarh Zone with 832 cases, followed by the East Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Shahdara (North) with 802 cases and Shahdara (South) zones with 698 cases.

A total of 2,561 dengue cases have been recorded in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation. Mayor Ravinder Gupta said that despite lack of funds, steps have been taken to control mosquito population.

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Delhi government failed to initiate awareness and an outbreak alarm was raised only after dengue fatalities were reported, which is not a life-threatening disease.

“Even though the Delhi Government withheld our funds, we ensured that fumigation and spraying of larvacide was carried out in time. The rest is up to nature,” said Gupta.

The SDMC, which has seen the highest number of dengue cases at 2,578, had failed to tackle the problem effectively, said Leader of Opposition Farhad Suri.

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The data released by 3 civic corporations said till September 12, the number of deaths due to dengue has been five and total dengue cases have gone up to 1,872.

“Both the corporations and the Delhi Government failed the people of Delhi as they were unable to prevent the spread of dengue. Instead of working for the betterment of people, the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party are busy playing politics,” said Suri.

Healths officials said that the number of people coming to the municipal hospitals has fallen drastically. “The number of dengue cases is the highest since we started maintaining records, but one must keep the population increase since 1996 into account,” said Director of Hospital Administration Dr D K Seth.

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The data from the municipal corporation of Delhi gives an alarming picture as only 26 cases of the vector-borne disease were reported in 2014.

He added that the attendance at the fever clinics at Hindu Rao and Kasturba hospitals was down 45 percent, and dengue was on its way out as the temperature dips.

Source-Medindia