Malaria on the rise in National Capital with 13 new cases in past week

At least 13 fresh cases of malaria were reported by the various MCDs in the civic body last week, thus taking the total count of people affected by the disease to 88. The total number of cases of dengue and chikungunya reported by July 28 are 49 and 35, respectively, higher than last week's numbers.

Doctors and authorities fear that the cases will rise in the coming days because of waterlogging at various locations caused by incessant rains in the past few days. While malaria is showing a significant rise, six new cases of dengue and one of chikungunya were recorded in the week.

There have been 42 cases of malaria in July, as compared to May and June when there were only 17 and 25 cases, respectively. Dengue cases have risen from 10 and eight for dengue in May and June, respectively, to 19 and nine and three for chikungunya to 19 in July.

"With the amount of rainfall in the last few days, we have seen a sudden rise in the number of malaria cases," says Dr SP Byotra, Head of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. "It is strongly suggested to keep the surroundings dry and free from mosquito breeding zones, we do not need another epidemic," he adds.

Apart from the vector-borne diseases, the capital is currently reeling under a spate of viral fevers with incessant rain. Many are falling sick off viral fevers thus leading to increased visits at the hospitals.

"Viral fever usually subsides on the third day of its onset but this time we are witnessing patients with consistent fever for more than three days," says Dr Rajesh Bhudiraja, Internal Medicine, Asian Institute of Medical Science. "The earliest recognisable symptoms of a viral infection are often fatigue and body ache. This may be followed by the onset of fever. In most cases, the fever is accompanied by a sore throat, running nose, nasal stuffiness and red eyes. A headache is also a common symptom of viral infection," he added.