At least 15 new cases of malaria and nine cases of dengue were reported by the various civic bodies in Delhi the past week, thus taking the total count of people affected by the diseases to 58 and 29, respectively, higher than last month's numbers. The total number of cases of chikungunya, however, reported by August 25, lesser than at least nine or 10 than last month's.
Overall, cases for the three diseases have gone down as compared to 2017 where dengue and malaria were 4,746 and 577, respectively by this time last year whereas the number of chikungunya cases was 559 last year and only 146 this year.
Doctors and authorities fear that the number of cases will rise with the continuing rainfall. According to the MeT department, there will be showers in the coming few days leading to more cases of these vector-borne diseases. While cases of dengue and malaria are showing a significant rise, chikungunya cases dropped from 19 to nine.
"There is definitely a rise in the cases of malaria and dengue as compared to last month's numbers but the situation is definitely better than last years," says Doctor 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 national 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 Doctor 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. Vomiting and diarrhoea may be present in some cases," he added.
FEAR PREVAILS
- Doctors and authorities fear that the number of cases will rise with the continuing rainfall.
- According to the MeT department, there will be showers in the coming few days leading to more cases of these vector-borne diseases.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Fumigation")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}