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Dengue toll touches 18 in Mumbai, but BMC not alarmed

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Dengue is tightening its grip on Mumbai, with almost one death being reported everyday. Mortality cases, in the recent past, are also coming out into the open now. Dengue toll in the city has now touched 18, surpassing last year's 12. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), however, refuses to acknowledge many of these deaths or deems them 'suspect.'

Who is the latest casualty that suffered from dengue?
Vijay Bhonsle (35), a sweeper with a private housekeeping company. He died of severe internal bleeding after suffering from thrombocytopenia or low platelet count. Samir More, Bhosle's neighbour, said the deceased has been suffering from fever for two weeks.

How many deaths have been acknowledged by BMC?
This year, it has confirmed only 10 dengue deaths. The BMC has refused to confirm eight additional deaths that have occurred this season. There is no standardisation in reporting dengue deaths. While most doctors clinically diagnose dengue on the basis of symptoms and NS1 antigen rapid blood test, BMC insists that a confirmatory antibody test should also be conducted.

Is BMC still refusing to acknowledge deaths?
Yes. Even as all private and public hospitals notify BMC's health department about dengue deaths, the civic body does not reveal information. More than two weeks ago, 34-year-old Khushbunissa Ansari died of dengue at Ashirwad hospital in Ghatkopar East. dna has a copy of the notification note sent by doctors at the hospital to the BMC's health department on October 31. The note mentions that Ansari was transferred with fever and chills on October 30 from Asha Polyclinic in Ghatkopar and that she died of dengue the next day. Another 14-year-old girl, who hailed from UP, was admitted to KEM hospital in Parel, and succumbed to dengue on Tuesday.

Is confirmatory antibody test conducted on all patients?
No. "For the first two days, antibodies are not formulated in the patient's body. So antibody tests are conducted only from the fifth day onwards. However, the dengue virus is so potent that it kills the patient within 24 hours to four days. Therefore, conducting confirmatory tests is not possible. In such instances, the BMC should acknowledge deaths as per the doctor's diagnosis. The doctor can pinpoint that his/her patient has died of dengue if the patient shows classic symptoms," said Dr Pratit Samdani, consulting physician at Breach Candy and Jaslok hospitals.

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